PEG, short for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, is a surgical method for inserting a feeding tube without the need for an open abdominal surgery. This procedure is intended for individuals who are unable to swallow. It can be carried out by a surgeon, an otolaryngologist, or a gastroenterologist in a hospital or an outpatient surgical center. To numb the throat, local anesthesia, often lidocaine or a similar spray, is applied. A flexible, lighted instrument called an endoscope is guided through the mouth, throat, and into the stomach. Subsequently, the surgeon makes a small incision in the abdominal skin and inserts an intravenous cannula, securing it to the stomach with sutures. Patients typically can return home the same day or the following morning. Potential complications include infection at the wound site or issues with the tube's placement or function. Compared to a traditional surgical gastrostomy that involves opening the abdomen, PEG is quicker, involves less risk, and is more cost-effective.
