A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the making of access to the digestive tract through the abdominal wall. Gastrostomy is any such access, but in PEG it is made through endoscopy.
PEG is a long-term solution to give nutrition to patients who cannot take food orally. Many stroke patients are at risk of aspiration pneumonia due to poor control over the swallowing muscles; some need a PEG to maintain nutrition.
Last updated: 02-11-2005 05:27:55
Last updated: 05-03-2005 17:50:55