Gastrostomy Tube

Gastrostomy tubes allow enteral nutrition to continue in patients who are unable to meet their caloric requirements orally. Though the indications for gastrostomy placement are varied, dysphagia secondary to a neurological condition is the most common. A tube will be placed into the stomach using x-ray guidance. Interventional Radiologists have been performing this procedure under fluoroscopic guidance for many years. Percutaneous gastrostomy tube placement is very safe with success rates comparable to that of the endoscopic method. A further benefit is that it may be performed in patients for whom the endoscopic method would be difficult or dangerous, such as those with head and neck malignancies.

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