Gastroenterologist versus Surgeon Performed Endoscopic Gastrostomy: A Multi-Centre Comparative Study.

Abstract

PEG tube placement has been widely embraced by endoscopists as a means of accessing the gastrointestinal tract for feeding. In this study we compared the outcomes of PEG tube placement by gastroenterologists and surgeon endoscopists.Materials and MethodsData on PEG outcomes were retrospectively collected over 31 months from the Georgetown Hospital in the Cayman Islands where PEGs were performed exclusively by surgeons. This was compared with data collected over the same period from the University Hospital of the West Indies in Jamaica where PEGs were performed exclusively by gastroenterologists.ResultsThere were 74 PEG tubes placed by gastroenterologists and 35 placed by surgeons. The gastroenterologists had a higher collective case volume than surgeons (37 vs 18 cases per year). There were no significant differences between gastroenterologist and surgeon performed PEG in terms of procedural success (98.6% vs 100%; P=0.84), overall morbidity (6.8% vs 8.8%; P=0.71), early mortality (4.3% vs 0; P=0.549) or late mortality (11.8% Vs 0; P=0.049).ConclusionsAppropriately trained surgeon endoscopists and gastroenterologists can site PEG tubes with similar success and complication rates.