A new complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

Two cases of complications of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy are described that have not been reported previously. Each had misplacement of a gastrostomy tube in the intestine, one in the transverse colon resulting in profuse diarrhea and metabolic acidosis, and the other in the jejunum causing adhesions with subsequent small bowel obstruction. An explanation of these complications and suggestions for prevention are presented.