Percutaneous feeding tube placement in pediatric patients: immediate and 30-day results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate fluoroscopically guided percutaneous feeding tube placement in pediatric patients.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Sixty-one procedures were performed. Periprocedural care protocol was changed after patient nine. Forty-eight-hour and 30-day outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

Almost 97% of procedures were successful. The 48-hour major and minor complication rates were 1.9% and 9.6%, respectively, after the initial nine procedures. Risk factors for early complications were the use of the initial care protocol (P < .01) and patient weight below the 50th percentile (P < .05). Major and minor 30-day complication rates were 8.3% and 12.0%, respectively. Risk factors for delayed complications were placement of a gastrojejunostomy tube rather than a gastrostomy tube (P < .05) and immunosuppression (P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous feeding tubes can be placed in children with a high rate of technical success. Optimal results require attention to periprocedural care. Morbidity is common during the first month of tube use.