American journal of surgery 2014-03
Esophagectomy in patients with prior percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement.   
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND
The impact of preoperative percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement in patients undergoing esophagectomy is uncertain.
METHODS
A retrospective review was performed in consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy. Patients were divided into groups based on whether or not they had preoperative PEG placement.
RESULTS
One hundred seventeen patients were studied, 102 without (PEG-) and 15 with PEG+ before PEG tube placement. The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 38% and 3%, respectively. The use of a gastric conduit was similar between groups (94% PEG- vs 87% PEG+, P = .27), and the presence of a PEG before PEG tube placement was not prohibitive in any case. Anastomotic leak rates were similar between groups (11% PEG- vs 15% PEG+, P = .65), and there were no leaks from previous PEG sites.
CONCLUSION
It appears that preoperative PEG tube placement has no adverse effect on the performance of esophagectomy and may be considered in highly selected patients with poor nutritional status.

Related Questions

Is there a preferred method and should any of the following be avoided: esophageal stent, nasogastric tube, PEG, J-tube, or TPN?