What is PEG?
PEG application is the process of feeding a tube to the stomach by endoscopy on patients who cannot eat orally. It is usually applied to patients who are elderly, with neurological disease (such as apoplexy, paralysis, dementia, Alzheimer and Parkinson dieases) or those who cannot swallow depending on the brain tumor and head and neck tumor. Sometimes it is applied in chronic neurological diseases such as ALS, Multiple sclerosis. PEG is a pathway from the abdomen to the stomach to give their daily food for patients who cannot be fed orally. Unlike similar methods opened by surgery and radiology, it is easier and more sustainable.
In fact, nutritional support is absolutely necessary in patients who cannot be fed orally. Providing nutrients from the peg is much better and easier than intravenous feeding. In this way, nutrition ensures that the patient's immune system remains alive and facilitates protection against vascular infection and other problems. Nasally placed feeding tubes are usually placed in patients to be fed less than 4-6 weeks. However, as can be expected, these tubes cause discomfort to the patient by long-term using. For this reason, it is more comfortable for the patients and their relatives to have PEG opening from the beginning for patients who will not improve after 1 month of feding.
Peg placement and Replacement at Home
After PEG is opened our home care and health service can change the PEG in your home environment. PEG tubes are durable for months. However, sometimes due to deformations that may occur in the tube over time, they may need to be replaced. The PEG tube can be easily removed and replaced by the anesthesiologist in the home environment. When applying this procedure, hygiene should be given priority. Since it is not a hospital environment, it is important that the items are sterile. The PEG locations are closed shortly after the tubes are dislodged, so care should be taken not to move them.
After PEG is inserted, the first dressing change is done the next day. Sterile dressing should be changed every day from the stoma channel until granulation occurs. This usually takes 1 week. It is also recommended to provide local disinfection.
When the wound starts to heal, the wound should be cleaned and dressed every 2-3 days. A dressing can be applied around the wound with medical plaster. After the wound is healed, it is usually 1-2 weeks after the PEG is inserted, the patient can take a bath with soap and water. However, dressings should be removed before the bath. The PEG zone is thoroughly cleaned from the soap and the tube is thoroughly dried before a new dressing is made.
This document is for informational purposes only.
