Internal cross-piece recovery after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.

To retrieve the internal cross-piece during removal of a Ponsky-Gauderer PEG, we have sutured the cross-piece to the end of the gastrostomy catheter prior to its insertion endoscopically. As the tube is withdrawn, the internal cross-piece slides off the catheter and remains in the stomach. The cross-piece is then removed by pulling on the suture connecting it to the gastrostomy tube. This simple and safe modification eliminates any risk of gastrointestinal obstruction secondary to a retained cross-piece.