Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG)

You have been advised by your Doctor to have a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG).

This leaflet tells you what it is and how you will be prepared for it.

What is a PEG?

A PEG is a surgical procedure where a small opening is made through your abdominal wall (tummy), into your stomach. A PEG tube (a plastic tube about 7mm [¼”] wide) is inserted through the opening to allow liquid feed, medicines and water to be passed into your stomach.

The PEG tube is held in place by a small plastic disc against your skin on the outside of your abdomen (See diagram below).

Why do I need a PEG?

Sometimes people are unable to eat normally, due to illness, disease of the digestive tract (oesophagus [gullet] and stomach) or have difficulty swallowing, for example, following a stroke.

When this happens, nourishment (special liquid food and drinks) has to be given in some other way.

What are the benefits of having a PEG?

PEG feeding is thought to be the best method of feeding for patients who are unable to eat normally for more than 2 – 4 weeks, as it is convenient, comfortable and safer than other methods.

Does having a PEG mean I will not be able to eat and drink normally again?

It will depend on why you need to have a PEG. For some people, a PEG will be the only safe way of taking food, drinks and medication. Some people may still be able to eat and drink normally, but may need to supplement (top up) their diet using a PEG.

Your Dietitian, Doctor and specialist Nurse will discuss this with you before you decide to have a PEG inserted. If in the future, you no longer need your PEG tube, it can be removed.

What will happen before my PEG is inserted?

If you are not already an inpatient, you will be admitted to hospital before your procedure, so that routine health checks, such as blood tests, can be carried out.

If you are taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication, you will need to stop taking these before your PEG is inserted. Your Doctor or specialist Nurse will discuss this with you.

Your Doctor or specialist Nurse will explain and discuss any risks and possible complications. This is just to make sure you understand everything before you sign the consent form.

You will usually need to stay in hospital for about 3 days after your PEG tube is inserted. Your Doctor or specialist Nurse will discuss this with you.

How will I need to prepare for having a PEG tube inserted?

The procedure is done in the Endoscopy Unit. You will be taken into an examination room and asked to lie down on a trolley. You will be given extra oxygen to breathe through a soft plastic tube in your nose. Your pulse and oxygen levels will be checked by putting a small plastic clip on your finger.

A small plastic guard will be put gently between your teeth to protect them. If you have any false teeth, you will be asked to remove them. Do not worry, this is all routine and is not painful. A Nurse will stay with you during your procedure and make sure you are comfortable.

You will be given a local anaesthetic (painkilling drug) throat spray and a sedative drug to make you feel comfortable and relaxed before the procedure starts.

This involves injecting medication (drugs) through a cannula (a fine tube) inserted into a vein in the back of your hand or arm, using a small fine needle.

Your endoscopist (a doctor or nurse trained to do endoscopies) will then pass a gastroscope (a thin, flexible tube which gives the endoscopist a clear view of the inside of your stomach) through your mouth or nose, down your throat and into your stomach.

The gastroscope shines a light inside your stomach which can be seen on the outside of your abdomen and shows the assistant where to inject a local anaesthetic to numb a small area of skin.

A stoma (small opening) is then made on the outside of your abdomen and through the wall of your stomach. The PEG tube is then passed into your stomach, gently pulled through the stoma and held in place on the inside of your stomach by a soft sponge disc, and by a small plastic disc on the outside, next to your skin.

The procedure usually takes about 20 minutes.

What are the risks and possible complications of having a PEG inserted?

Having a PEG tube inserted does have some risks and possible complications. Your specialist nurse or doctor will discuss these with you before you consent (agree) to the procedure.

These are:

• Sedation. Sedation can affect your cardio-respiratory system (heart and lungs). 1 patient in every 100 can suffer from over sedation.^{1, 2}  If this happens you will be given drugs to reverse the effect.

• Aspiration. Fluid from your stomach can leak into your lungs, affect your breathing and cause an infection.^{1, 2}  This is one of the reasons why you must not eat or drink for 6 hours before the procedure.

• Bleeding.  In your oesophagus or stomach. 1 patient in every 1,000 can suffer from bleeding.1, 2  If bleeding happens during your procedure steps will be taken to stop it.

Bleeding from your PEG insertion site. When the opening is made through your abdominal wall into your stomach there is a small risk of bleeding. This is usually minor, but can occasionally be severe and even life-threatening.

To reduce the risk of bleeding a sample of your blood will be taken before your procedure to make sure your blood is clotting correctly. If you are taking anticoagulants to thin your blood, you will need to stop taking these at least 5 days before your procedure.

• Perforation (hole). in the wall of your oesophagus, stomach or duodenum (small intestine). 1 patient in every 15,000 can suffer a perforation.^{1, 2}  If this happens you may need an operation to repair it.

• Difficulty positioning your PEG tube. Occasionally it is not possible to place the tube safely by endoscopy. In this case another way to help you feed will be discussed with you.

How will I feel after my PEG tube has been inserted?

The effects of sedation will stay with you for at least 12 hours. For the first 12 hours after sedation you:

• Must not make important decisions or sign any legal  documents.
• Must not lock the toilet or bathroom door in case you need assistance.

You must tell one of your nurses if you:

• Have severe pain in your neck, chest or abdomen.
• Develop a temperature above 38ºC (100.4ºF) or feel feverish.
• Start vomiting (being sick) or develop nausea (feeling sick).

What problems can happen after my PEG tube has been inserted?

Your PEG tube could:

• Accidentally fall out. Although your PEG tube is fixed securely in position it can sometimes fall out. If this happens you must contact your specialist nurse, district nurse, GP or the GP Out of Hours Service, immediately. (see contact numbers)

• Develop an infection at the wound site. This risk is reduced by careful skin cleaning. You will be given antibiotics before the procedure to help reduce this risk. However, infections could still develop that will need further antibiotic treatment. Sometimes the tube may have to be removed because of infection.

• Develop over-granulation (thickened sore skin) around your stoma. This is common and may be uncomfortable. To help avoid this it is important you carefully follow the aftercare advice. See leaflet, ‘PEG – Discharge and aftercare advice’. There are many ways to treat this problem.

Please contact your specialist nurse for more information.

• Leak. If your tube becomes loose, fluid can leak from your stomach on to your skin, this can cause irritation. To help avoid this it is important you carefully follow the aftercare advice. See leaflet, ‘PEG – Discharge and aftercare advice’. There are many ways to treat this problem.  You must contact your specialist nurse, district nurse, GP or the GP Out of Hours Service, for advice immediately.

• Become blocked. The tube can become blocked from time to time. To help avoid this it is important you carefully follow the aftercare advice provided. See leaflet, ‘PEG – Discharge and aftercare advice’. If your tube remains blocked or you are not happy to try and unblock it yourself, contact your specialist nurse, district nurse, GP or GP Out of Hours Service (see contact numbers).

• If your tube becomes dislodged (partly falls out) and it is not noticed, the special liquid food, drinks or medication may leak inside your abdomen and cause peritonitis (a severe infection) which can be life-threatening.

How will I be fed through my PEG tube?

You will be given specially prepared liquid feeds through your PEG tube, depending on your needs. Some people may still be able to eat and drink normally but receive extra feeds, fluids and liquid medicines through their PEG.

Your dietitian will decide how much special liquid feed you need each day. You will be given your feeds at set times during the day. Your feed will be given using a syringe. This is called a bolus feed.

Sometimes a special pump can be used instead of a syringe; this is set to deliver the right amount of feed through your tube at the correct rate. You and your carer(s) will be shown how to use both these methods of feeding.

Only your special liquid feeds, water or liquid medicines must be passed (fed) down your PEG.

Ordinary food must not be liquidised and passed down your PEG.

Most people are able to manage their own PEG feeding at home with the help of relatives, carers, district nurse, specialist nurse and GP.

Do not hesitate to contact your nurse or doctor should you need help or advice with your PEG. Your specialist nurse will also be available to visit you in your own home, if needed.

Contact numbers

Nutrition and Dietetics (via Specialist Services Admin Hub)
Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm (excluding Bank Holidays)
Telephone: 01429 522471

Specialist Nurses
Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Telephone: 01642 624682

Endoscopy Unit
Monday to Friday 8:00am to 7.00pm
Telephone: 01642 624387

Enteral Feed Nurse

Telephone: please check information provided upon your training.

Outside of these hours please contact Nutrica Nutritional Nurse advice line.

If you have any worries or concerns you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours. Outside surgery hours, you should contact your GP’s surgery for the Out of Hours Service number.

Nutrica Nutritional Nurse advice line: 08457 623636

Further Information available

NHS Choices
Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones.
When it is less urgent than 999 call 111
Website: www.nhs.uk

References

1. Cotton P & Williams C (2014) Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy  7th edition Blackwell Science.
2. SHC Anderson, G Davies, Hr Dalton (1999) Key topics in gastroenterology BIOS scientific publishers.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

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Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet Reference: PIL1363
Date for Review: 09/02/2025