Thirty-day Complication Rate of Percutaneous Gastrojejunostomy and Gastrostomy Tube Insertion Using a Single-Puncture, Dual-Anchor Technique

Purpose: Our objective was to assess 30-day mortality and complication rates associated with percutaneous enteral feeding tube insertion using a single-puncture, dual-suture anchor gastropexy and peel-away sheath technique. We explored differences in complications based on indication and gastrostomy versus gastrojejunostomy tube. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of adult patients undergoing fluoroscopically guided gastrojejunostomy (GJ) and gastrostomy (G) tube insertions between July 2011 and 2014 by five interventional radiologists at a single tertiary care centre. A single-puncture dual-anchor gastropexy technique with a peel away sheath was used for all patients. Complications within 30 day post-procedure were classified based on the Society of Interventional Radiology Standards of Practice for Gastrointestinal Access. Procedure-related mortality and complication rates, as well as indication-specific complication rates, were compared between GJ and G groups. Results: 559 consecutive patients underwent G (86) or GJ (473) tube insertion. Primary technical success was 100%. Nine major (1.6%) and 60 minor (10.7%) complications occurred for an overall complication rate of 12.3%. The 30-day complication rate was significantly higher for GJ compared to G tube insertion (13.5% v. 5.8%, p =.049). There was a trend toward a higher 30-day minor complication rate for the GJ group (11.8% v. 4.7%, p =.057), but no significant difference between groups with respect to major complications (1.7% v. 1.2%, p = 1.0). Four procedure-related deaths occurred resulting in an overall procedure-related mortality of 0.7%. No significant difference in the procedure-related mortality was found between GJ and G groups (0.6% v. 1.2%, P =.49). Conclusion: The 30-day major complication and procedure-related mortality rates from G and GJ tube insertion are low when using a single-puncture, dual-anchor gastropexy technique. GJ tube insertion is associated with a higher overall complication rate, likely due to more minor complications, but may avoid long-term adverse events.