Endoscopic Percutaneous Gastrostomy without Laparotomy

Summary

Observation and manipulation through the endofiberscope, have resulted in a new method of establishing gastrostomy without laparotomy. Subsequent to experimental studies with dogs, the new method was employed to substitute nasogastric tube in patients. In this new procedure, endoscopic application permits the placing of stitches in close contact with the abdominal and gastric walls. The fact that no complications were observed in the patients submitted to operative treatment, is largely attributed to this type of suture. From the results obtained it would seem that this procedure can be routinely employed instead of gastrostomy with laparotomy, since it offers the advantage of being a simpler method and is more likely to be associated with a lower rate of complications.

Key words:

New method of gastrostomy without laparotomy - Nasogastric tube in patients - Stitches in contact with abdominal walls