Colocutaneous fistula after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in a remnant stomach

Surg Endosc. 1999 Mar;13(3):280-2. doi: 10.1007/s004649900964.

Abstract

An 82-year-old woman underwent percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) 5 years after partial gastrectomy for cancer. Four months after PEG insertion, a colocutaneous fistula was noted at exchange of the PEG tube. Colocutaneous fistula is a rare and major complication of PEG with 10 reported cases to date. In eight of the 11 reported cases, including this case, fistulas appeared late (>6 weeks) after PEG insertion. This complication may heal after removal of the PEG alone, if the fistula has formed completely; otherwise a surgical approach is necessary for the treatment. Since five of the 11 reported patients had previously undergone abdominal surgery, prior abdominal surgery may increase the risk of a colonic injury after PEG. Open surgical gastrostomy is a wiser option when performing gastrostomy in patients with prior abdominal surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colonic Diseases / etiology*
  • Cutaneous Fistula / etiology*
  • Enteral Nutrition / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Gastrectomy*
  • Gastrostomy / adverse effects*
  • Gastrostomy / methods
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Fistula / etiology*
  • Intubation, Gastrointestinal / adverse effects
  • Time Factors