Background and study aims: Feeding-related adverse events after
percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) such as aspiration pneumonia may
result in prolonged hospitalization and postoperative mortality. This study
evaluated the efficacy of using semi-solid feeds to reduce feeding-related
adverse events and improve clinical outcomes.
Patients and methods: Patients who received PEG for enteral nutrition at
our hospital between January 2014 and December 2015 were allocated to a
postoperative feeding protocol that used either liquid feed or semi-solid feed.
Baseline characteristics, postoperative feeding-related adverse events and
clinical outcomes in the 2 groups were prospectively analysed and compared.
Results: One hundred and seventeen PEG patients (age range: 59 – 97 years,
male: 53) were enrolled with 72 patients given liquid feed and 45 patients
receiving semi-solid feed. Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups.
The semi-solid feed group experienced fewer incidence of feeding-related
aspiration pneumonia (2.2 % vs. 22.2 %, P < 0.005) and shorter
postoperative hospital length of stay (12.7 days vs. 18.8 days,
P < 0.01). Significant differences were not observed in the frequency
of peristomal infection (11.1 % vs. 12.5 %, P = 0.82), feeding-related
diarrhea (2.2 % vs. 12.5 %, P = 0.09) and 30-day mortality rates (2.2 %
vs. 8.3 %, P = 0.25).
Conclusions: Semi-solid feeding may reduce the risk of aspiration
pneumonia and shorten postoperative hospital length of stay after PEG.
Semi-solid feeds are safe to use and can be employed either as a first line
feeding protocol or an alternative when liquid feeding is
unsuccessful.