Percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement in patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE To study the safety and efficacy of percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement in patients with head and neck cancer. DESIGN We conducted a retrospective case review of 92 consecutive cases. Comparable access procedures and relevant literature were reviewed. SETTING Academic tertiary care center. PATIENTS Patients with head and neck cancer who underwent percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement between January 1996 and July 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Immediate, delayed, and long-term complications; tube malfunction; and tube placement failure. RESULTS The major complication rate was 1%; the minor complication rate was 8%; and the tube malfunction rate was 13%. The rate of successful tube placement was 98%. None of the patients required hospitalization as a result of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy tube placement is a safe, economical, and comfortable method that has distinct advantages over other gastrostomy tube placement methods. It is recommended for enteral feeding and nutritional supplementation in patients with head and neck cancer.