Safety and Feasibility of Ultrasound-Guided Gastric Access for Percutaneous Transabdominal Gastrostomy Tube Placement.

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ultrasound guidance gastric access for percutaneous retrograde transabdominal gastrostomy (G)-tube placement.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients undergoing 31 percutaneous retrograde transabdominal G-tube placements utilizing ultrasound-guided gastric accesses were retrospectively identified.

RESULTS

All patients had successful placement of G tubes with ultrasound-guided gastric access. There were no cases of aspiration or peritonitis. Average fluoroscopy time was 2.7 ± 1.4 min and average radiation dose was 220 ± 202 µGym2.

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasound-guided access for gastrostomy placement is safe and feasible and can be performed with minimal fluoroscopy times resulting in low patient and operator radiation dose.