Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy in a High-Volume Secondary Care Center: A Five-Year Single-Center Experience

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is widely used for long-term enteral nutritional support in patients with impaired oral intake. This study aimed to evaluate the indications, outcomes, and complications of PEG placement performed by a general surgery team in a regional secondary care center.
METHODS: This retrospective observational study included adult patients who underwent PEG placement at Ağrı Training and Research Hospital between January 2021 and December 2025. Demographic characteristics, PEG indications, procedural outcomes, complications, and mortality were analyzed. All procedures were performed using the pull PEG technique under conscious sedation.
RESULTS: A total of 112 patients were included. The mean age was 65 ± 14 years. The years, and 67.0% were male. The most common indication was cerebrovascular accident (55.4%), followed by dementia-related disorders (28.6%). A total of 112 PEG placement attempts were performed, and all procedures were completed (technical success rate: 100%). Early complications occurred in 4.5% of patients and were limited to minor peristomal infections, which were managed conservatively. No major early complications or procedure-related mortality were observed. Late complications developed in 21.4% of patients, most commonly tube replacement (13.4%) and tube obstruction (7.1%). Buried bumper syndrome occurred in one patient (0.9%). No 30-day mortality was detected.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: PEG placement performed by an experienced general surgery team is a safe and effective method for long-term enteral nutrition, with high technical success and low major complication rates. Standardized procedural techniques and close follow-up may contribute to favorable clinical outcomes.

Keywords: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, enteral nutrition, general surgery, complications, gastrostomy, retrospective study.