Abstract

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has become a widely used and safe method for long-term enteral feeding in patients who are unable to tolerate oral feeding. Although a number of complications can occur following PEG placement, most of these complications are not life threatening. Serious complications occur rarely after this procedure and they include peritonitis, visceral perforation, major gastrointestinal bleeding, and necrotizing fasciitis. An esophageal perforation following PEG placement is very rare and predisposing factors include Zenker's or epiphrenic esophageal diverticuli, esophageal strictures, and mass lesions. We recently experienced a case of distal esophageal perforation following a PEG tube change. The predisposing esophageal perforation factor in this case was uncertain, and we successfully treated the patient with surgical intervention. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2011;43:1-4)

• Keywords: Gastrostomy, Complications, Esophageal Perforation