Small bowel perforation after incomplete removal of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy catheter

Abstract

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a well-established technique for providing long-term nutritional support. The advantages and most frequent complications have been widely documented, but less is known about the danger of removing or replacing a PEG by cutting the device at skin level without endoscopic assistance to ensure the removal of the inner part. Laparotomy is often required in elderly and high-risk patients to relieve an intestinal obstruction or perforation. We describe a fatal case of small bowel perforation, resulting from the inability to remove an inner bumper.