PEG Feeding Tubes - Indications and Management

Failure of feeding: Dementia; however, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that enteral tube feeding is beneficial in patients with advanced dementia [6] . There is presently no evidence to suggest long-term survival rates improve in patients with advanced dementia who undergo PEG placement for dysphagia [7] . Cystic fibrosis: PEG feeding is safe, efficacious and acceptable in children and adults with nutritional failure due to cystic fibrosis but should be carried out only in the context of close co-operation between cystic fibrosis chest physicians and an enteral feeding team. Peritoneal dialysis: PEG insertion can improve nutritional status but increases the risk of fungal peritonitis and failure of dialysis. PEG insertion can be undertaken in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis should be stopped for three days and prophylactic antifungal therapy given. Oro-pharyngeal and oesophageal malignancy: enteral tube placement into the stomach may hinder surgical techniques in oesophageal cancer and should be avoided if curative resection is planned.