Safety and Feasibility of Ultrasound-Guided Gastric Access for Percutaneous Transabdominal Gastrostomy Tube Placement

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ultrasound guidance gastric access for percutaneous retrograde transabdominal gastrostomy (G)-tube placement. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients undergoing 31 percutaneous retrograde transabdominal G-tube placements utilizing ultrasound-guided gastric accesses were retrospectively identified. RESULTS: All patients had successful placement of G tubes with ultrasound-guided gastric access. There were no cases of aspiration or peritonitis. Average fluoroscopy time was 2.7 ± 1.4 min and average radiation dose was 220 ± 202 µGym(2). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided access for gastrostomy placement is safe and feasible and can be performed with minimal fluoroscopy times resulting in low patient and operator radiation dose.