Citations
Persistent enterocutaneous fistula after the removal of a gastrostomy tube is an unusual complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). The following case report describes an 81-year-old man diagnosed with stroke and dysphagia in May 2008. The patient had been using a PEG since 2008, and PEG site infection occurred in June 2013. The PEG tube was removed and a new PEG tube was inserted. Thereafter, formation of gastrocutaneous fistula around the previous infected PEG site was observed. The fistula was refractory to medical management, accompanied by long duration of fasting and peripheral alimentation. Therefore, gastrojejunostomy tube insertion via the previously inserted PEG tube was performed, under fluoroscopic guidance; this mode of management was successful. For patients who have a gastrocutaneous fistula, gastrojejunostomy tube insertion via the pre-existing PEG tube is a safe and effective alternative management for enteral feeding.
To determine predictors of early recovery of functional swallow in patients who had gastrostomy (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy [PEG]) placement for dysphagia and were discharged to inpatient rehabilitation (IPR) after stroke.
A retrospective study of prospectively identified patients with acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke from July 2008 to August 2012 was conducted. Patients who had PEG during stroke admission and were discharged to IPR, were studied. We compared demographics, stroke characteristics, severity of dysphagia, stroke admission events and medications in patients who remained PEG-dependent after IPR with those who recovered functional swallow.
Patients who remained PEG dependent were significantly older (73 vs. 54 years, p=0.009). Recovery of swallow was more frequent for hemorrhagic stroke patients (80% vs. 47%, p=0.079). Age, adjusting for side of stroke (odds ratio [OR], 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.98; p=0.016) and left-sided strokes, adjusting for age (OR, 15.15; 95% CI, 1.32-173.34; p=0.028) were significant predictors of swallow recovery. Patients who recovered swallowing by discharge from IPR were more likely to be discharged home compared to those who remained PEG-dependent (90% vs. 42%, p=0.009).
Younger age and left-sided stroke may be predictive factors of early recovery of functional swallow in patients who received PEG. Prospective validation is important as avoidance of unnecessary procedures could reduce morbidity and healthcare costs.
Citations
We reported a case in which a nasogastric tube was inserted into the gastrocutaneous fistula, diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography. A 78-year-old man with a history of recurrent cerebral hemorrhage had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube due to dysphagia for 2 years. However, soft tissue infection at the gastrostomy site caused the removal of the tube. Immediately, antibiotic agents were infused. For appropriate hydration and medication, a nasogastric tube was inserted. However, there was no significant improvement of the soft tissue infection. Moreover, the amount of bloody exudate increased. Abdominal computed tomography revealed the nasogastric tube placed under the patient's skin via gastrocutaneous fistula. The nasogastric tube was removed, and an antibiotic agents were maintained. After 3 weeks, the signs of infection fully improved, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was performed again. This case shows necessities of an appropriate interval between removal of the gastrostomy tube and insertion of a nasogastric tube, and suspicion of existence of gastrocutaneous fistula.
Method: Twenty one brain injured patients with PEG Foley catheter were studied and divided into three groups by indwelling duration. The balloon of Foley catheter was inflated with 5 ml of normal saline. We calculated the deflating velocity of the balloon by estimating remained amount of normal saline and indwelling duration at the time of replacement.
Results: In 6 patients, the PEG Foley catheter was pulled out easily before aspiration of remained normal saline. In all of these cases, remained amount of normal saline was less than 2 ml. The deflating velocities of the balloons were 0.057⁑0.024 ml/day in cases with 3 to 4weeks of indwelling duration, 0.066⁑0.005 ml/day with 4 to 5 weeks, 0.067⁑0.012 ml/day with above 5weeks. The mean deflating velocity was 0.063⁑0.016 ml/day in human. The deflating velocity was slower than that of the previous study in vitro.
Conclusion: The mean days of deflation of the balloon of total PEG Foley catheter down to 2.5 ml were 42.1 days. We suggest that the PEG Foley catheter would be replaced within 42 days after exchange. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2003; 27: 485-488)
Objective: The purposes of this study are to estimate the proper replacement time of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy Foley catheter for prevention of accidental expulsion from the stomach, and to identify factors influencing deflation of balloon.
Method: Silicone Foley catheters (22 Fr) were placed and compared in the different environments: 1) different acidity (pH 1, 2, 3, 4, 7), 2) static versus dynamic (100 RPM) environment. The balloon capacity of 30 ml versus 5 ml inflated with 5 ml of normal saline were compared. Mean time interval of deflation of balloon down to the capacity of 2.5 ml and 1 ml was estimated and compared respectively.
Results: The results showed no significant difference of the decrease of the balloon of the Foley catheters in each acidity except for pH 1 and dynamic environment. But capacity of balloon could affect deflation. The mean days of deflation of total Foley catheter down to 2.5 ml and 1 ml were 23.5⁑5.3 and 42.2⁑7.2 days respectively.
Conclusion: Physiological gastric acidity and dynamic environment did not affect the deflation of the Foley catheter significantly, but the capacity of the balloon affected it. And suggested proper time of the replacement of the Foley catheter gastrostomy tube is ranged from 24 to 42 days after exchange.
This study was designed to compare the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy(PEG) tube feeding with the nasogastric(NG) tube feeding for the patients with dysphagia after the stroke, and to find out the most optimal timing for the PEG tube feeding.
We monitored the nutritional parameters, the frequency and the timing of complications, and other risk factors in 54 stroke patients with dysphagia. In the group of patients with the nasogastric(NG) tube feeding, a reduction in nutritional parameters was greater than in the group of patients with PEG tube feeding. Especially the reduction in serum hemoglobin and albumin level was statistically significant. Thirteen cases of aspiration pneumonia who had frequent self removal of feeding tubes developed in the group with NG tube feeding. Most cases of aspiration pneumonia in the NG tube feeding group developed within the first 2 weeks. Complications from the PEG tube feeding group were three cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and three cases of local infection. There were no correlations between the duration of dysphagia and the location of brain lesions, the history of tracheostomy, the age, the initial mental status, or the artificial ventilation. But, there was a significant prolongation of duration of dysphagia in the group of patients who had a vocal cord palsy, an absence of gag reflex, a paralytic dysarthria and a prolonged intensive medical care.
We conclude that the PEG tube feeding is a safer and the more effective method to provide a long term enteral nutrition to patients with neurological dysphagia than the NG tube feeding. Since the most complications developed in the first 2 weeks, the PEG tube feeding should be applied within the initial 2nd to 3rd week for the stroke patients with dysphagia and aspiration risks. Further prospective study will be needed to decide an ideal timing of PEG tube feeding after an acute stroke.
The purpose of this study was to find prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery after stroke. 26 dysphagic patients with history of aspiration divided into two groups, oral feeding group and persisting aspirating group(continue tube feeding after acute stage of stroke rehabilitation). We evaluated the neurologic locus of stroke lesion, Functional Independence Measure(FIM) score, parameters of the bedside swallowing test and videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow. The neurologic locus of stroke lesion was not correlate with the recovery of aspiration due to stoke. The low FIM score(less than 50), large amount of pharyngeal residue, decreased clearing ability of residue, and delayed pharyngeal transit time(over 3 sec) were bad prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery. We may use these criteria for the recommendation of continuous tube feeding especially, Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy(PEG) in dysphagic patients after stroke