[Intercostal percutaneous ultrasound guided decompressive gastrostomy (PUG)--a case report]

Safety and efficacy of stoma site selection in CT-guided percutaneous gastrostomy: a retrospective analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the safety and efficacy of CPG in the rectus abdominis and intercostal regions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 226 patients who underwent CPG at a single center, with the stoma placed in the rectus abdominis or intercostal region. Surgical outcomes and complications, such as pain and infection within 6 months postoperatively, were recorded.

RESULTS

The surgical success rate was 100%, and the all-cause mortality rate within 1 month was 0%. An intercostal stoma was placed in 56 patients; a rectus abdominis stoma was placed in 170 patients. The duration of surgery was longer for intercostal stoma placement (37.66 ± 14.63 min) than for rectus abdominis stoma placement (30.26 ± 12.40 min) (P = 0.000). At 1 month postsurgery, the rate of stoma infection was greater in the intercostal group (32.1%) than in the rectus abdominis group (20.6%), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.077). No significant difference was observed in the infection rate between the two groups at 3 or 6 months postsurgery (P > 0.05). Intercostal stoma patients reported higher pain scores during the perioperative period and at 1 month postsurgery (P = 0.000), but pain scores were similar between the two groups at 3 and 6 months postsurgery. The perioperative complication rates for intercostal and rectus abdominis surgery were 1.8% and 5.3%, respectively (P = 0.464), with no significant difference in the incidence of tube dislodgement (P = 0.514). Patient weight improved significantly at 3 and 6 months postoperatively compared to preoperatively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Rectus abdominis and intercostal stomas have similar safety and efficacy. However, intercostal stomas may result in greater short-term patient discomfort.

Pushing the boundaries of ECLS: Outcomes in <34 week EGA neonates

PURPOSE

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is usually reserved for infants ≥34weeks estimated gestational age (EGA) owing to concerns about increased mortality and incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). We sought to characterize survival, rates of ICH, and complications in <34week EGA neonates placed on ECLS.

METHODS

752 neonates of EGA 29-34weeks were identified in the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) Registry (1976-2008). Data analyzed included birthweight, survival, pre-ECLS conditions, ventilatory parameters and complications (including ICH and other neurological outcomes). Data were compared using t-test, Chi-square and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

When compared to survival rates of 34week EGA neonates (58%), survival was statistically different for 29-33week EGA (48%, p=0.05). No significant difference in ICH incidence was seen between the 29-33week and 34week groups (21% vs. 17%, respectively), but a significant difference was seen in the incidence of cerebral infarct between groups (22% for 29-33weeks vs. 16% for 34weeks; p=0.03). ICH and survival did not correlate with EGA during logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Though rates of survival and cerebral infarction were worse at 29-33weeks EGA compared with 34weeks, these differences were modest and may be clinically acceptable. This suggests that EGA<34weeks may not be an absolute contraindication to use of ECLS.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Ultrasound-guided gastrostomy tube placement: A case series

PURPOSE

Gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) can be placed utilizing a variety of techniques. Here we present a case series to demonstrate feasibility of a novel method, ultrasound-guided G-tube placement (USGTP).

METHODS

All cases of USGTP at our institution from September 2015-August 2016 were reviewed. Data included demographics, operative time, complications, time to first feeding, and 30-day readmissions. All steps of the procedure were carried out using ultrasound guidance, resulting in placement of a low-profile G-tube.

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent USGTP. Median age at operation was 2.6years (IQR 0.9-5.3) and median weight 9.9kg (IQR 7.2-18.4). Median operative time was 27min. (IQR 20-44). First feeding occurred 8.8±2.9h after the procedure. The second patient in the series experienced the only operative complication. In this case, a linear probe was used with insufficient gastric distension, resulting in placement of the tube through a fold in the stomach wall. This was recognized and remedied intraoperatively. This prompted successful technique modification for future USGTPs. Only one patient was readmitted within 30days, and this was related to urinary retention, an underlying problem.

CONCLUSION

US-guided G-tube placement appears initially to be safe, efficient and effective. Advantages include good anatomical delineation, a single incision, initial placement of a low-profile G-tube, and avoidance of endoscopy, laparoscopy, and radiation. This report illustrates feasibility of USGTP paving the way for further investigation and comparison to other existing gastrostomy insertion methods.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

CT fluoroscopy guided percutaneous gastrostomy or jejunostomy without (CT-PG/PJ) or with simultaneous endoscopy (CT-PEG/PEJ) in otherwise untreatable patients

PURPOSE

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) or percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) are substantial for patients with swallowing disorders to maintain enteral nutrition or to decompress palliatively intractable small bowel obstruction. Endoscopic placement can be impossible due to previous (gastric) operation, obesity, hepato-splenomegaly, peritoneal carcinosis, inadequate transillumination, or obstructed passage. Computed tomography (CT)-fluoroscopic guidance with or without endoscopy can enable placement of CT-PG/CT-PJ or CT-PEG/CT-PEJ if endoscopically guided placement fails. In this retrospective study, we will evaluate the feasibility and safety of this method.

METHODS

A total of 101 consecutive patients were referred to our department for feeding support (n = 87) or decompression (n = 14). Reasons were: ENT tumor (n = 51), esophageal cancer (n = 19), mediastinal mass (n = 2), neurological disorder (n = 15). Decompression tubes were placed because of cancer (n = 13) or Crohn's disease (n = 1). The following approaches were chosen: CT fluoroscopy and simultaneous gastroscopy (n = 61), inflation of the stomach via nasogastric tube (n = 29), and direct puncture under CT-fluoroscopic guidance (n = 11).

RESULTS

CT fluoroscopy-guided gastrostomy was feasible in 89 of 101 patients. No procedure-related mortality was observed. One tube was misplaced into the colon in a patient with a history of gastrectomy. No complication was seen after removal. Minor complications: dislodgement (n = 17), peristomal leakage (n = 7), wound infection (n = 1), superficial skin infection (n = 6), tube obstruction (n = 2).

CONCLUSIONS

CT fluoroscopy-guided PG/PJ or PEG/PEJ is feasible and safe and provides adequate feeding support or decompression. It offers the benefits of minimally invasive therapy even in patients with contraindications to established endoscopic methods, combining the advantages of both techniques. Long-term complications-mainly tube-related problems-are easily treated.