Atif Iqbal Rana, Hassan Saleem, Ehsan Masud Kiani, Ahmed Kamal.
Experience with wide and narrow caliber percutaneous radiologically guided gastrostomy tubes.
J Postgrad Med Inst Nov ;30(1):41-7.

Objective: To compare the percutaneous radiologically guided gastrostomy (PeRG) tubes of wide caliber with narrow caliber tubes. Methodology: This retrospective study was performed on 36 patients who were referred to Radiology department for PeRG tube placement between 2008 till 2012. Comparison of wide caliber gastrostomy tubes (18-24 Fr) was done with narrow caliber tubes (14 Fr) considering procedure success rate, procedure related complications and catheter related minor and major complications. Results: Out of 36 patients, 18 patients were present in each group. Mean age of patients was 53.944 ±19.380. Procedure success rate was 100 % in both groups and procedure related immediate complications were none in either groups. Peri-catheter leakage was observed in 1 patient in each group. Tube occlusion was present in 2 patients in narrow caliber group. Two patients had severe pain in wide caliber group and also 3 patients had wound infection in this group. Conclusion: Regardless of the type of radiologic catheter placed, PeRG can be considered as safe and highly successful procedure. Use of a 24 Fr gastrostomy tubes may show promising results if placed under radiological guidance with comparable technical success and complication rates to other caliber tubes.

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