| [ Summary ] |
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is performed mainly to provide access for enteral feeding. Evidence to support the efficacy of PEG in improving functional status and quality of life of the patient is not sufficient. Caution should be taken to obtain informed consent from surrogate decision makers. Absolute contraindications for PEG are limited, but there are numbers of relative contraindications, which require reconsideration of indication and specific preoperative management.
Users of gastrostomy tubes are usually different from the endoscopists who perform PEG. All care givers, including family of the patient, should participate in decision making for the indication of PEG toward the therapeutic goals for patients. |