Percutaneous endoscopic duodenostomy

Percutaneous endoscopic duodenostomy: the relief of obstruction in advanced gastric carcinoma

Nausea and vomiting in patients with advanced gastric malignancy and mechanical obstruction are distressing and difficult to manage. We describe a patient with linitis plastica and gastric stasis who was treated with a percutaneous endoscopic duodenostomy as the stomach could not be used for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) formation. A Conflo PEG tube was inserted into the second part of the duodenum using the Ponsky-Gauderer technique without complication. The patient experienced excellent symptomatic relief and tolerated enteral nutrition extremely well, regaining some weight. This manoeuvre can produce effective symptom palliation allowing the patient to be managed at home during the terminal phase of their illness.

Endoscopic intervention for enteral access

Contrary to total parenteral nutrition with its relatively recent introduction into modern clinical medicine, enteral nutrition has a long and colorful history. Prior to development of fiberoptic endoscopy, physicians attempting to feed patients who could not or would not eat were limited to the blind placement of intestinal tubes or radiologically assisted placement of these devices. Previous to these modern attempts, the use of nutrient enemas was attempted for which there was evidence of occasional success. With the introduction of fiberoptic flexible endoscopy, guidance of tubes into the upper intestinal tract under direct vision became feasible. The manner in which tubes were positioned, advanced, or manipulated are myriad and attest to the ingenuity of clinicians. A revolution in endoscopic intervention occurred with the introduction of the percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in 1980. This provided secure access to the stomach without a laparotomy. This technique was also modified to allow decompression of the stomach with feeding distally into the small intestine and also direct puncture and placement of tubes into the small intestine. The most recent advance in enteral nutrition is taking place at the present time with the introduction of laparoscopic techniques in the creation of gastrostomies and jejunostomies.

Percutaneous endoscopic duodenostomy (PED). Case report

Surgeons are increasingly using endoscopy to place transabdominal feeding tubes for enteral nutrition or gastric decompression. A possible extension for the application of this new technique is the direct placement of the feeding tube into the duodenal bulb. Two patients are presented in whom percutaneous endoscopic duodenostomy was successfully performed, although percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was not possible. It shows that this new method is technically possible. In both patients the positive influence of this technique on the patient's quality of life could be shown using the Spitzer Quality of Life Index and the Karnofsky Performance Status. Enteral nutrition was maintained for more than 6 weeks.