Complications and Effectiveness of Gastrostomy Feedings in Pediatric Cancer Patients

Abstract

GT feeding was associated with minor complications, but permitted effective nutritional support for pediatric cancer patients.

Efficacy and safety of radiologically placed gastrostomy tubes in paediatric haematology/oncology patients

“…Our findings support those of Aquino et al [13] and Matthew et al [12], who showed that weight gain can occur with G-tubes in this patient population.…”

“…We found that retrograde G-tube placement by radiology is possible in the majority of paediatric haematology/oncology patients without general anaesthesia, with a low percentage of major complications, and a decreased occurrence of minor complications, compared to published studies [12,13]. Our findings support those of Aquino et al [13] and Matthew et al [12], who showed that weight gain can occur with G-tubes in this patient population.…”

“…The most frequently noted complication was localized site infection, which others have also described [12,13]. Infection in this group of immune-compromised patients was related to the underlying disease and its treatment, rather than to length of time the G-tube was in place, as might be the case for chronic indwelling intravenous catheters.…”

“…The reluctance to place G-tubes may be due, in part, to the high incidence of minor complications and the risk of major complications, including the use of general anaesthesia for tube placement. In two recent reports [12,13], G-tubes were used in paediatric cancer patients and shown to be cost-effective, to result in weight gain, and to have few major complications. Minor complications, although easily treated, occurred frequently in both studies.…”

Algorithm for nutritional support: Experience of the metabolic and infusion support service of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

“…A secondary goal was to emphasize enteral feeding as the safest, most effective form of nutritional support. The algorithm also outlined specific durations of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), since short courses of this support are not beneficial (ASPEN, 1989) but do carry risk, notably of infection (Christensen et al, 1993;Mathew et al, 1996).…”