Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy. Are we doing the better for all patients? (original) (raw)

2022, Avanços em Medicina

E nteral nutrition is the chosen route of feeding for patients who require nutrition support therapy and are unable to maintain oral intake because of neurological or congenital diseases, cancer or other causes. For patients who require more than eight weeks of nutritional enteral support, a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is often indicated. 1 Usually, these patients are old people suffering from chronic neurological disabilities. Although PEG is considered safe, efficient and cost effective, there is considerable short-term mortality and morbidity, and for patients with dementia, PEG has been discouraged because of associated high mortality. 2,3 The indication of a medical treatment to a patient who will die in the near future is a futile indication. 1 The patients will suffer the risks of PEG, and there will be charges which must be considered-all for zero benefits.

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