Doctor taking blood pressure of patient.

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Placement

Providence is committed to be your partner in health. When your condition calls for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) placement, your safety and comfort are our priorities so you can focus on the next step of your health journey.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (PEG) placement is the insertion of a feeding tube directly into the stomach. This procedure is commonly used for patients who have trouble swallowing and cannot eat enough by mouth to meet daily nutritional needs.

You should not eat or drink anything at least eight hours before the procedure. You may need to stay overnight in the hospital. Arrange to have someone drive you home afterward.

PEG placement is typically performed under local anesthesia with the use of sedative medication that is administered through an IV. Numbing spray may be used on the back of your throat to prevent gagging, and a local numbing anesthetic is injected into your abdomen.

Your doctor will insert an endoscope into your mouth and down to your stomach to view the placement of the feeding tube. They make a small incision in your abdomen and insert the feeding tube. The tube is held in place with a balloon-shaped cap and a dressing is placed over the opening of the incision.

Your doctor will review specific instructions for taking care of your incision and feeding tube after the procedure.

You may experience pain or cramping during recovery.

While PEG placement is considered a safe procedure, it does come with some risks. Minor complications include pain, bleeding and infection at the incision site and leakage around the tube. Major complications are rare but include more significant bleeding and infection and damage to the affected organs.