USEFULNESS OF A NOVEL OBSERVATIONAL METHOD WITH A SMALL DIAMETER RIGID TELESCOPE THROUGH THE GASTROSTOMY CATHETER AT EXCHANGE (PART II): COMPARISON BETWEEN THE DIRECT VIEW AND OBLIQUE VIEW TYPE TELESCOPE

Abstract

We examined the usefulness and safety of intragastric observation employing a small diameter rigid telescope (external diameter : 2.7 mm, Nisco Co., Ltd.), which can be inserted through the catheter lumen of a gastric fistula tube made by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. While exchanging the catheter, fistula and intragastric observations were carried out with a rigid telescope E02700 (direct view type) or E02770 (oblique view type) to verify the optimal path and location of the catheter tip.
Endoluminal visualization of the stomach as well as the fistula was possible in all 30 patients examined without any clinically significant adverse event. A direct view type telescope was more preferable for observing the fistula lumen and the bumper of the catheter with guidewire introduction, while an oblique view type telescope provided better visualization of the gastric mucosa around the bumper.