Abstract
Purpose: The number of pediatric gastrostomies has recently been increasing. However, caregivers often hesitate to consent to this operation because of its high risk. The age at gastrostomy insertion, complications, mortality, the rate of weaning from gastrostomy, the rate of continued utilization, the presence of antireflux surgery after gastrostomy, and the number of patients with tracheostomy or laryngotracheal separation were recorded among pediatric patients with gastrostomy.
Methods: Gastrostomies were performed in 100 pediatric patients from January 2006 to February 2014. Gastroesophageal reflux disease was ruled out before gastrostomy for all patients by monitoring lower esophageal pH and by upper gastrointestinal series. For gastrostomy, either Stamm’s methods or laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEGs) was used.
Results: Seven of the 100 pediatric patients were no longer followed up because of hospital transfers, 8 died of causes unrelated to gastrostomy, and only one was weaned from the gastrostomy device. Throughout the rest of the follow-up period, 84 underwent gastrostomy and 10 underwent antireflux surgery after gastrostomy. Only one patient received reconstruction of the gastrostomy due to leakage.
Conclusions: Gastrostomy for pediatric patients is safe and appropriate, because weaning from gastrostomy is uncommon and the risk of gastrostomy is relatively low among pediatric patients.
