A REPORT OF THREE CASES IN WHICH PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY WAS SUCCESSFULLY PERFORMED AFTER SUCTION OF SIGMOID COLON GAS

Abstract

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is sometimes difficult to perform in cases with severe constipation, since the stomach and transverse colon are markedly shifted to the upper portion of the abdominal cavity by a massive buildup of colonic gas. We experienced three cases with severe constipation in which PEG could not be performed due to the presence of the transverse colon between the abdominal wall and gastric wall. In all three cases, PEGs were successfully performed after the suction of the sigmoid colon gas via lower intestinal endoscopy. Suction of sigmoid colon gas appeared to be effective to allow a PEG to be performed in several cases in which PEG was difficult to do due to the existence of a massive buildup of colonic gas.