PEG Placement

Percutaneous Endoscopy Gastrostomy Placement (PEG Placement)

Placement of a gastrostomy tube is required for patients who are unable to consume sufficient kilojoules. These patients are unable to eat or swallow enough nutrition for their daily activities.

The gastrostomy tube is placed through the abdomen into the stomach and can be used for nutrition, fluids or medications.

Gastrostomy can be used for a short time or long-term for patients with diagnoses such as facial trauma, dysphagia and tumours of the head and neck.

Physicians will use a lighted, flexible tube to place the tube through the mouth and into the stomach.

During the gastrostomy tube placement procedure, patients require a mild sedative and pain medication for comfort.

A Registered Nurse assists the doctor during the procedure and a Sedationist/Anaesthetist monitors vital signs.

After the endoscopy procedure patients and/or carers must learn how to use and care for the tube.