Complications of Percutaneous Radiological Gastrostomy Tube Insertion: “Let Our Past Complications Guide Your Future Success”

Summary: Percutaneous radiological gastrostomy (PRG) and gastrojejunostomy (PRGJ) tube insertion has been shown in the literature to be a safe and effective procedure performed by interventional radiologists (IR). While the vast majority of cases are successful, PRG/PRGJ procedures have potential complications of which the IR should be aware. The complications are categorized into major and minor. The incidence of major and minor complications ranges from 0.4 to 22.5% and from 13 to 43%, respectively. In addition, the complication rate has been shown to be similar for both endoscopically and radiologically placed tubes. The procedure-related mortality rates range from 0 to 2%. The 30-day mortality rates range from 6.7 to 26% which are due to the underlying comorbidities of the debilitated population who receive enteral feeding tubes. Both major and minor complications will be discussed with examples of both categories obtained retrospectively over a 5-year period at a 1070 bed community/teaching hospital. It is hoped the discussion will heighten the awareness of potential complications and strategies for their management.

Conclusion: PRG and PRGJ are commonly performed procedures with high success rates. However, the operator should be aware of potential complications, both major and minor. It is hoped our educational exhibit demonstrated through text and example cases from our institution, a myriad of potential complications, suggestion for management, and tips for prevention.

No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).