Candida peritonitis: a rare complication following early dislodgement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube.

UNLABELLED: Candida peritonitis is a rare but potentially fatal complication of early dislodgement of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tube. We report the case of 12-year-old boy who developed Candida peritonitis subsequent to early dislodgement of PEG tube. PEG tubes may be prone to accidental dislodgement or removal by patients or carers. This complication has to be recognized early in order to avoid the risk of peritonitis. In our case the patient initially developed coliform peritonitis followed by peritoneal and systemic candidiasis. The patient needed ventilatory support, inotropic support, broad-spectrum antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition and antifungal agents liposomal amphotericin and flucytosine.

CONCLUSION: Early dislodged PEG tubes should be recognized early in order to avoid the risk of peritonitis and managed by endoscopic or surgical replacement rather than blind replacement by the appropriately skilled personnel.