De Novo Placement of Button Gastrostomy Catheters in an Adult Population: Experience in 53 Patients

Proportion of unplanned tube replacements and complications following gastrostomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIMS

Gastrostomy feeding represents a vital component of supportive care provided to people with swallowing or feeding difficulties; however, the rate of specific long-term complications is currently unknown in the adult population. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of specific long-term gastrostomy-related complications and unplanned replacements in adults.

METHODS

A prospective systematic review of Medline, CINAHL and Embase databases was performed. Key complications of hypergranulation, infection and displacement among studies relevant to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes, radiologically inserted gastrostomy tubes and balloon replacement tubes were critically appraised by two independent reviewers. Results were synthesised quantitatively in a meta-analysis using random effects where the population and condition were sufficiently homogeneous.

RESULTS

In total, 453 studies were identified, of which 17 met inclusion criteria. 8.5% of adults with a gastrostomy were found to have had an infection ≥42 days after initial tube insertion (p < 0.01), while 13% had hypergranulation (p < 0.01). Displacement occurred in 10.8% of adults (p < 0.01), with age (p < 0.001) and sex (p < 0.001) presenting as a risk factor (R2  = 75%) following meta-regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 1 in 10 people with a gastrostomy will experience a complication related to either hypergranulation, infection or dislodgement. Age, in combination with sex, may provide a guide for risk of displacement among adult female cohorts, though further studies reporting prevalence of gastrostomy-related complications along with participant demographics are required.

An 8-year, single-centre experience of primary image-guided insertion of 'button' gastrostomy catheters: Technical and clinical results

INTRODUCTION

'Button' gastrostomy insertion is traditionally a two-step procedure with an initial longer gastrostomy tube inserted followed by placement of the shorter 'button' gastrostomy in 6 weeks when the track is mature. The aim of this study is to assess whether the placement of a Button gastrostomy de novo is a safe and effective method of radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) insertion.

METHODS

Using our Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) and electronic patient charts we identified all patients who underwent primary 'button' gastrostomy over an 8-year period with at least a 1-year follow-up period. We evaluated technical success rate, indications for insertion, major and minor complications, 30-day mortality and the number of exchanges performed.

RESULTS

Overall, 482 patients underwent a primary button RIG insertion during this period with an overall success rate of 97.1%. Indications for RIG insertion included neurological and neurosurgical disorders 236 (48.9%), head and neck malignancy 182 (37.8%), oesophageal malignancy 27 (5.6%) and other indications in 37 (7.7%). The mean age was 59.55 years (range 18-88 years) with 290 men (60.2%) and 192 women (39.8%). Major complications were recorded in 0.8% and minor complications in 1.7%. A 30-day mortality of 1% was identified (five patients), mortality was directly related to the RIG insertion in one patient (0.2%). A total of 65 exchanges/replacements took place over this period of time, with 33 (50.1%) due to 'inadvertent removal'.

CONCLUSION

Primary button RIG insertion is a procedure that has a high success rate and low morbidity and mortality. We believe it is a safe and effective alternative to deliver enteral nutrition.

Primary placement of low-profile or 'button' versus traditional balloon-retention radiologically inserted gastrostomy catheters in adults: a retrospective review

OBJECTIVE

De novo percutaneous placement of radiologically inserted low-profile or 'button-type' gastrostomy catheters (LPG) is infrequently reported in adults. This study compares the safety and clinical outcomes of primary percutaneous placement of LPG catheters and traditional balloon-retention gastrostomy catheters (TG) using image guidance at a single institution.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective, single-institution review comparing initial LPG and TG radiologically inserted catheter placements in a 36-month time period. The age, gender, indication, catheter type and method of anaesthesia of 139 consecutive initial gastrostomy placement procedures were recorded. Total catheter days without intervention, major and minor complications, reasons for reintervention, and procedure fluoroscopy times were compared.

RESULTS

During the 36-month study period, 61 LPG and 78 TG catheters were placed. Mean total catheter days prior to intervention was 137 days in the LPG group and 128 days in the TG group (p=0.70). Minor complications including cellulitis, pericatheter leakage and early catheter occlusion occurred in 4.9% (3/61) in the LPG group and 9% (7/78) in the TG group (p=0.5). Major complications including early catheter dislodgement and bleeding requiring transfusion (in one patient) occurred in 4.9% (3/61) in the LPG group and 7.7% (6/78) in the TG group (p=0.4). Procedure fluoroscopy time was lower in the LPG group (2.56 min) compared with the TG group (4.21 min) (p<0.005).

CONCLUSION

Primary placement of low-profile or 'button-type' gastrostomy catheters is technically feasible with a low complication rate similar to that of traditional radiologically inserted gastrostomy catheters.

Gastrostomy Button Diameter and Length Variations after Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: One Size Does Not Fit All

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a useful option for long-term enteral nutrition. Low-profile gastrostomy tubes ("buttons") may afterward be placed in the stomach through the abdominal wall following maturation of the preexisting ostomy. Regular verification is essential since inadequate sizing is associated with accidental exteriorization or food leakage. We aimed to evaluate gastrostomy buttons diameter or length variations on the first year after their placement and possible factors associated with these variations.

METHODS

We analyzed consecutive PEGs between 2016 and 2018. A minimum follow-up of 12 after gastrostomy button placement was required. Diameter or length variations were assessed in a specialized PEG appointment during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Final sample included 94 patients, from which 65 (69.1%) were women, and 29 (30.9%) were men, with a mean age of 76.9 ± 13.3 years. Measurements variations occurred in 44 (46.8%) patients. Diameter variation was significantly more frequent in patients living in a nursing home (OR = 5.43; 95% CI = 1.32-22.27; p = 0.019), patients with previous PEG tube dislodgement (OR = 3.84; 95% CI = 1.21-12.20; p = 0.023), and male patients (OR = 3.50; 95% CI = 1.06-11.49, p = 0.039). Length variation occurred more frequently in patients with a weight change during the follow-up period greater than 5 kg (OR = 3.71; 95% CI = 1.14-12.05; p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant proportion of patients with gastrostomy buttons required a change in their measurements, especially if male, living in nursing homes, having significant weight changes, or accidental tube exteriorization. This emphasizes the importance of having a specialized PEG appointment to regularly assure the best fitted button for each patient and ultimately guarantee an adequate nutritional intake.

Endoscopic Enteral Access

Various approaches for enteral access exist, but because there is no single best approach it should be tailored to the needs of the patient. This article discusses the various enteral access techniques for nasoenteric tubes, gastrostomy, gastrojejunostomy, and direct jejunostomy as well as their indications, contraindications, and pitfalls. Also discussed is enteral access in altered anatomy. In addition, complications associated with these endoscopic techniques and how to either prevent or properly manage them are reviewed.

Value of Percutaneous Radiologic Gastrostomy for Patients with Advanced Esophageal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Nutritional management is important throughout the treatment period for esophageal cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) and to investigate whether PRG can be applied for patients with advanced esophageal cancer.

METHODS

In this study, 89 patients (74 men and 15 women) with advanced esophageal cancer underwent PRG using computed tomography and fluoroscopic guidance. These patients were unsuitable candidates for endoscopic intervention because of esophageal stricture. Primary placement of a mushroom-retained gastrostomy catheter was intended. The end points were technical success and complications after PRG as well as clinical outcomes and survival of the patients. These end points also were compared between the pre-chemoradiotherapy (pre-CRT) and post-CRT groups using the Chi square test, Fisher's exact test, and the Wilcoxon rank sum test. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

All the patients had a successful PRG. The mushroom-tip gastrostomy catheter was primarily inserted in 77 patients (86.5 %) and finally achieved for all the patients. Complications occurred for 14 patients (15.7 %) including Dindo-Clavien classification grade 3 (1 catheter dislodgement), grade 2 (2 gastric hemorrhages), and grade 1 (7 skin infections and 4 oozing hemorrhages) complications. During the follow-up period (median, 6 months), 60 patients (67.4 %) died, giving a 12-month survival rate of 37.7 %. Gastrostomy removal was more common in the pre-CRT group (P = 0.011). The pre-CRT group had higher survival rates than the post-CRT group (P = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Because PRG provided high technical success with limited complications, it can be used for patients with advanced esophageal cancer whose treatment plan involves multimodal therapy.

CIRSE Standards of Practice Guidelines on Gastrostomy

PURPOSE

Surgical Gastrostomy has been around since the 19th century but in 1980 the first successful percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was reported. A year later the first successful percutaneous gastrostomy was performed using fluoroscopic guidance. The technique for percutaneous insertion and the equipment used has been refined since then and it is now considered the gold standard for gastrostomy insertion. Here we present guidelines for image-guided enteral feeding tubes in adults.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We performed a review and analysis of the scientific literature, other national and international guidelines and expert opinion.

RESULTS

Studies have shown fluoroscopic techniques have consistently higher success rates with lower rates of major complications than endoscopic techniques. However, the Achilles' heel of many fluoroscopic techniques is the requirement for smaller gastrostomy tube sizes resulting in them being more prone to blockages and thus requiring further intervention.

CONCLUSION

Radiological feeding tube insertion is a safe and effective procedure. Success rates are higher, and complication rates lower than PEG or surgical gastrostomy tube placement and innovative techniques for gastric and jejunal access mean that there are very few cases in which RIG is not possible. The principal weakness of radiologically inserted gastrostomies is the limitiation on tube size which leads to a higher rate of tube blockage. Per-oral image-guided gastrostomies have to an extent addressed this but have not been popularised. Currently many centres still consider endoscopic gastrostomies as the first line unless patients are too unwell to undergo this procedure or previous attempts have failed, in which case radioloically inserted gastrostomies are the technique of choice.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Catheter Exchange Rates for Fluoroscopically Guided Gastrostomy Tubes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a data-driven quality improvement initiative to reduce catheter exchange rates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-institution retrospective analysis of all percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) placement and replacement procedures between January 2010 and July 2015 was conducted. A statistical model predicting the risk for catheter exchange for any reason and exchanges specifically for tube malfunction was created; a quality improvement plan to reduce catheter exchanges was designed and implemented in June 2014. The outcomes for subsequent PRG procedures from July 2014 through March 2015 were followed until July 2015.

RESULTS

Between 2010 and June 2014, 1,144 primary PRG procedures and 442 replacement procedures were performed in 1,112 patients. Of the 442 exchange procedures, 289 were "rescue" procedures secondary to catheter malfunction. A quality improvement plan was implemented in June 2014 that encouraged primary gastrojejunostomy catheter and balloon-retained PRG catheter placement and placement of skin sutures in patients considered high risk for catheter dislodgment. From July 2014 through March 2015, 229 PRG catheters were placed, and 71 exchange procedures were performed through July 2015. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of rescue exchanges performed secondary to catheter malfunction (P = .036).

CONCLUSIONS

Procedural and patient-specific risk factors for PRG complications were identified, and a statistical model to predict rates of minor complications was created. These findings were used to implement a quality improvement program that resulted in a decrease in PRG exchanges secondary to catheter malfunction.

De novo radiologic placement of button gastrostomy: a feasibility study in children with cancer

BACKGROUND

Primary placement of percutaneous radiologic button gastrostomy has been successfully performed in adults but research is lacking as to its success in children during cancer treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and effectiveness of such treatment at a single center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a 3-year retrospective feasibility study reporting on placement procedure, feeding plan, acute complications and effectiveness of this technique based on the evolution of the weight and weight-to-height during a period of 3 months.

RESULTS

Eleven gastrostomies were performed in 11 children and young adults (3-20 years old) during oncological treatment. No major complications occurred. Two patients experienced minor side effects -- local leakage and granulation tissue formation -- both easily treated. In all cases, enteral feeding started within 24 h following the button placement. The patients were able to go home within 72 h. After 1 month, 64% (7/11) had gained weight, 18% (2/11) had maintained weight and 9% (1/11) had lost weight. After 3 months, 73% (8/11) had gained weight and 9% (1/11) had lost weight.

CONCLUSION

The procedure and devices were well tolerated and mostly effective in our cohort.

Insertion of balloon retained gastrostomy buttons: a 5-year retrospective review of 260 patients

PURPOSE

Radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) is an established way of maintaining enteral nutrition in patients who cannot maintain nutrition orally. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of primary placement of a wide bore button gastrostomy in a large, varied patient population through retrospective review.

METHODS

All patients who underwent gastrostomy placement from January 1, 2004 to January 1, 2009 were identified. 18-Fr gastrostomy buttons (MIC-Key G) were inserted in the majority. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 4.5 years.

RESULTS

A total of 260 patients (M:F 140:120, average age 59.2 years) underwent gastrostomy during the study period. Overall success rate for RIG placement was 99.6 %, with success rate of 95.3 % for primary button insertion. Indications included neurological disorders (70 %), esophageal/head and neck malignancy (21 %), and other indications (9 %). Major and minor complication rates were 1.2 and 12.8 %, respectively. Thirty-day mortality rate was 6.8 %. One third of patients underwent gastrostomy reinsertion during the study period, the main indication for which was inadvertent catheter removal. Patency rate was high at 99.5 %. The maximum number of procedures in any patient was 8 (n = 2), and the average tube dwell time was 125 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary radiological insertion of a wide bore button gastrostomy is a safe technique, with high success rate, high patency rate, and low major complication rate. We believe that it is feasible to attempt button gastrostomy placement in all patients, once tract length is within limits of tube length. If difficulty is encountered, then a standard tube may simply be placed instead.

CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous gastrostomy with loop gastropexy and peel-away sheath trocar technique in 31 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients

BACKGROUND

In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with respiratory impairment and/or advanced disease, performing even mild sedation - as is usually necessary for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placements - is fraught with risk. These patients are often referred to Interventional Radiology for alternative percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement options.

PURPOSE

To report our experience with CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous gastrostomy with a novel loop gastropexy and peel-away sheath trocar technique in ALS patients as an alternative to endoscopic techniques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A consecutive series of 31 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients in whom endoscopic gastrostomy was considered too dangerous or impossible to perform underwent CT-guided percutaneous gastropexy and gastrostomy and prospective follow-up. All procedures were performed with a 15 FR Freka® Pexact gastrostomy kit, a 16-row CT scanner (Aquilion 16) and single shot CT fluoroscopy mode.

RESULTS

The procedure was performed successfully in 30 of 31 patients (20 men, 11 women; median age 60 years, range 38-80 years). In the remaining case the stomach was punctured under CT fluoroscopy and CO2 insufflation was initiated thereafter, leading to successful gastrostomy without prior gastropexy and without further adverse events during follow-up. Two patients reported unproblematic exchange of a balloon tube due to skin irritations with no further adverse events. One patient reported accidental displacement of an exchanged new balloon tube in domestic environment due to balloon leakage: A new balloon tube was easily re-inserted in a hospital the same day. No serious adverse events such as peritonitis, persistent local bleeding, systemic blood loss, or any local infection requiring surgical intervention were observed. Until August 11, 2011 follow-up resulted in 7473 cumulative gastrostomy-days from the date of first placement.

CONCLUSION

Initial results suggest that the described technique under CT guidance is feasible and safe and may especially be advantageous in cases where endoscopic gastrostomy and sedation are contraindicated.

New approaches to percutaneous gastrostomy

Novel approaches to percutaneous gastrostomy have evolved because of catheter clogging and displacement, which is commonly seen with currently available gastrostomy catheters. Low-profile button gastrostomy catheters, designed to be inserted into mature tracts, have recently been inserted into fresh gastrostomy tracts. Catheter clogging rarely occurs with these low-profile devices. Catheter displacement remains a problem but new buttons can be inserted at the patient's bedside without the need for a return visit to the radiology department. A 90 to 100% success rate has been shown for placement of gastrostomy buttons. Pull-type endoscopic gastrostomy catheters can be placed radiologically using a standard puncture of the stomach and cannulation of the gastroesophageal junction. A guide wire is manipulated up the esophagus and out the mouth. The pull-type gastrostomy catheter is then attached and pulled down through the esophagus and out through the anterior abdominal wall. These catheters have very good retention devices and rarely become dislodged. Catheter clogging is also rarely seen, provided larger devices are used. Radiological placement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes has been termed the "hybrid method" and has been shown to be cheaper than endoscopic and other fluoroscopic methods of gastrostomy.

Percutaneous gastrostomy and gastrojejunostomy

Gastrostomy allows enteral nutrition to continue in patients who are unable to meet their caloric requirements orally. Though the indications for gastrostomy placement are varied, dysphagia secondary to a neurological condition is the most common. These catheters were initially placed surgically, but percutaneous endoscopic placement is now the routine in most centers. Interventional radiologists have been performing this procedure under fluoroscopic guidance for several years with encouraging results. Percutaneous radiological gastrostomy is reported to have a success rate comparable to that of the endoscopic method, with lower morbidity and mortality rates. A further benefit is that it may be performed in patients for whom the endoscopic method would be difficult or dangerous, such as those with head and neck malignancies. One of the main factors currently limiting the use of this procedure is the shortage of interventional radiology facilities and specialists.This article describes a technique for routine percutaneous radiological gastrostomy catheter placement and procedural variations for difficult cases. Indications and contraindications will be discussed, as will complication rates and how these compare with the traditional methods of gastrostomy tube placement.

Updates on percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy/gastrojejunostomy and jejunostomy

Gastrostomy placement for nutritional support for patients with inadequate oral intake has been attempted using surgical, endoscopic, and, more recently, percutaneous radiologically guided methods. Surgical gastrostomy has been superseded by both endoscopic and radiologic gastrostomy. We describe herein the indications, contraindications, patient preparations, techniques, complications, and aftercare with regard to radiologic gastrostomy. In addition, we discuss the available tube types and their perceived advantages. There remain some controversies regarding gastropexy performance and primary percutaneous gastrojejunostomy. Percutaneous jejunostomy is indicated for patients whose stomach is inaccessible for gastrostomy placement or for those who have had a previous gastrectomy.

Replacement of mushroom cage gastrostomy tube using a modified technique to allow percutaneous replacement with an endoscopic tube in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Radiologic inserted gastrostomy (RIG) is the preferred method in our institution for enteral feeding in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Skin-level primary-placed mushroom cage gastrostomy tubes become tight with weight gain. We describe a minimally invasive radiologic technique for replacing mushroom gastrostomy tubes with endoscopic mushroom cage tubes in ALS. All patients with ALS who underwent replacement of a RIG tube were included. Patients were selected for a modified replacement when the tube length of the primary placed RIG tube was insufficient to allow like-for-like replacement. Replacement was performed under local anesthetic and fluoroscopic guidance according to a preset technique, with modification of an endoscopic mushroom cage gastrostomy tube to allow percutaneous placement. Assessment of the success, safety, and durability of the modified technique was undertaken. Over a 60-month period, 104 primary placement mushroom cage tubes in ALS were performed. A total of 20 (19.2%) of 104 patients had a replacement tube positioned, 10 (9.6%) of 104 with the modified technique (male n = 4, female n = 6, mean age 65.5 years, range 48-85 years). All tubes were successfully replaced using this modified technique, with two minor complications (superficial wound infection and minor hemorrhage). The mean length of time of tube durability was 158.5 days (range 6-471 days), with all but one patient dying with a functional tube in place. We have devised a modification to allow percutaneous replacement of mushroom cage gastrostomy feeding tubes with minimal compromise to ALS patients. This technique allows tube replacement under local anesthetic, without the need for sedation, an important consideration in ALS.

Mushroom-cage gastrostomy tube placement in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a 5-year experience in 104 patients in a single institution

To review our experience of placement of a mushroom-cage gastrostomy tube (Entristar, Tyco Healthcare, Mansfield, MA), using radiological guidance, in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). All procedures were performed under local anaesthesia without sedation. Complications were recorded as peri-procedural, early (<24 h), late (>24 h), major or minor. Deaths were recorded as related to the underlying ALS or secondary to radiological-inserted gastrostomy (RIG) placement. Replacement RIG tube rate was recorded. Over a 5-year period RIG tubes were placed in 104 patients with ALS (male n = 52, female n = 52), with a median age of 62 years (range 34-86 years). All procedures were technically successful. Of the RIG procedures, 21/104 (20.2%) were performed with respiratory support. The 30-day mortality rate was 7/104 (6.7%); no patient died as a result of the procedure. There were 23/104 (22.1%) complications overall; 20/104 (19.2%) were minor and 3/104 (2.9%) major, requiring surgery (n = 2) and radiological-guided abscess drainage (n = 1). A median interval between replacement RIG procedures in 20/104 (19.2%) patients was 141.5 days (range 43-537 days). A mushroom-cage RIG tube may be safely and effectively inserted in a 'one-step' radiological procedure and may replace endoscopic-inserted gastrostomy tubes in the nutritional management of ALS.

Stability of balloon-retention gastrostomy tubes with different concentrations of contrast material: in vitro study

The purpose of this study was to determine the performance of two balloon-retention-type gastrostomy tubes when the balloons are inflated with two types of contrast materials at different concentrations. Two commonly used balloon-retention-type tubes (MIC and Tri-Funnel) were inflated to the manufacturer's recommended volumes (4 and 20 cm(3), respectively) with normal saline or normal saline plus different concentrations of contrast material. Five tubes of each brand were inflated with normal saline and 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% contrast material dilutions, using either nonionic hyperosmolar contrast, or nonionic iso-osmolar contrast. The tubes were submerged in a glass basin containing a solution with a pH of 4. Every week the tubes were visually inspected to determine the integrity of the balloons, and the diameter of the balloons was measured with a caliper. The tests were repeated every week for a total of 12 weeks. The MIC balloons deflated slightly faster over time than the Tri-Funnel balloons. The Tri-Funnel balloons remained relatively stable over the study period for the different concentrations of contrast materials. The deflation rates of the MIC balloons were proportionally related to the concentration of saline and inversely related to the concentration of the contrast material. At high contrast material concentrations, solidification of the balloons was observed. In conclusion, this in vitro study confirms that the use of diluted amounts of nonionic contrast materials is safe for inflating the balloons of two types of balloon-retention feeding tubes. High concentrations of contrast could result in solidification of the balloons and should be avoided.

Interventional radiology techniques for provision of enteral feeding

Gastrostomy placement in patients who are unable to maintain their nutrition orally has been attempted using a variety of techniques over the past century. This includes surgical, endoscopic, and, more recently, percutaneous radiologically guided methods. Surgical gastrostomy placement was the method of choice for almost a century, but has since been superseded by both endoscopic and radiological placement. There are a number of indications for gastrostomy placement in clinical practice today, with fewer contraindications due to the recent innovations in technique placement and gastrostomy catheter type. We describe the technique of gastrostomy placement, which we use in our institution, along with appropriate indications and contraindications. In addition, we will discuss the wide variety of catheter types available and their perceived advantages. There remains some debate with regard to gastropexy performance and the use of primary gastrojejunal catheters, which we will address. In addition, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the three major types of gastrostomy placement currently available (i.e., surgical, endoscopic, and radiological) and their associated complications.