Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy ( PEG ) is the surgical procedure by which an opening is created on the stomach and subsequently on the abdomen, in order to insert a tube (or tube) for artificial nutrition .
In fact, the tube is made to be connected to bags containing the basic foods that a human being needs.
Performed under local anesthesia and without the use of large incisions on the abdomen, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy occurs when an individual is no longer able to feed himself in the traditional manner, that is, orally.
CLASSICAL SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE PEG
Usually, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is practiced when the inability to eat orally is due to:
- A previous episode of stroke
- Surgical interventions performed for the correction of anatomical defects such as the cleft lip . In this case it is a temporary solution.
- A radiotherapy treatment for the treatment of a neoplasm located at the level of the neck or head. In fact, if performed in these locations, radiation therapy can make chewing temporarily difficult.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( ALS )
- Gastric volvulus, or when the stomach twists itself.
- Bowel obstruction . In these circumstances, PEG has a gastric decompressive purpose, so it serves to empty the stomach rather than supply it with nutrients.
