Factors Predicting Major Complications and Mortality in Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy: 8 Years of Experience of a Tertiary Surgery Center.

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a safe method of choice for patients who need long-term nutritional support. However, complications and high mortality rates have been reported. Based on 8 years of experience in tertiary care hospitals, we aimed to identify risk factors associated with major complications and 30-day mortality after PEG.

Methods: Patients who underwent PEG in the General Surgery clinic of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University, Faculty of Medicine between January 2014 and March 2022 were included in the study. Data regarding patient demographics, comorbidities, laboratory data, drugs used together, and indications for PEG tube placement were collected.

Results: There were 429 patients. The mean age of the patients was 66.9±16.75 years, and 180 (44%) patients were female. The mean follow-up period was 8.84±6.75 months. Twenty patients (4.9%) had major complications. Female sex [Odds Ratio (OR) 0.33, 95% CI, CI=1.23-8.87, P=0.02] and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR=0.23, 95% CI=1.93-6, P=0.002) were the independent variables associated with major complications. The all-cause 30-day mortality rate was 5.9% (n=24). Malignancy, DM, corticosteroid use, low albumin, and platelet values were associated with increased mortality in multivariate analysis as indications for PEG.

Conclusions: Female sex and patients with DM may potentially face major complications. The patients with cancer, diabetes, and corticosteroid use were associated with higher mortality. In addition, low serum albumin and platelet levels were an effective factor for survival in patients undergoing PEG, and this should be taken into account in decision-making.