| Theme | The Present State of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Indications for Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy for Neurological Dysphagia | |
| Publish Date | 2013/09 | |
| Author | Fumiko Oshima | Department of Rehabilitation, Japanese Red Cross Kyoto Daiichi Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | In stroke patients, disturbances of consciousness and higher brain functions can cause malnutrition and dehydration. Dysphagia is common after strokes and can cause chest infection and malnutrition and result in poor outcomes. In these patients, nutritional support is recommended. Enteral nutrition and tube feeding offer the possibility of maintaining or improving nutritional status and facilitate administration of drugs to prevent stroke recurrence. For long-term nutritional support, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is preferable to nasogastric tubes, as it is associated with fewer treatment failures. Feeding via PEG is highly effective. PEG is recommended for patients with severe neurological dysphagia. PEG should also be considered for weight stabilization and to prolong survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Additional supplementary feeding via PEG tubes should be considered in appropriate patients. Adequate respiratory function and therapy are important to prevent aspiration associated with PEG. | |