This study demonstrates that early post-PEG mortality can be reduced by preassessment of patients by a multidisciplinary nutrition team and is evidence supporting the recommendations of the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death report.

SummarySkin oxygen tension (TcPO2) was measured at 430C on patients (n=27) with venous ulcers. Measurements were made at ulcer edge and, proximally on the same limb for control. Similar measurements were also made on healthy volunteers (n= 14) in the medial aspects of the distal third of the legs. TcPO2 at ulcer edge was significantly lower (P=0.001) than control values which in turn were lower than that measured on healthy volunteers. TcPO2 reflects skin nutrition. While low TcPo2 at ulcer edges might be the result, of pericapillary barriers to oxygen transport, the control values measured on apparently normal skin suggest the need for further studies.

This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

This case series demonstrates that gastroenterology units without specialized equipment are able to safely insert PEGs in patients who are at increased risk for intravenous sedation.