A new procedure for gastrostomy tube replacement verification: a case report.

A man in his late twenties with multiple injuries presented to a dedicated brain injury unit. A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube was inserted for enteral feedings and medication delivery. During his inpatient course, the patient's PEG tube was inadvertently removed. House officers quickly replaced the tube by using 300 mL of room air as a contrast medium along with plain film radiography to verify correct placement. To our knowledge, this method has not previously been presented in the literature. The procedure significantly decreases the cost and eliminates the risks associated with endoscopic replacement or radiographic verification by using more common contrast media.