Efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy for patients with esophageal cancer during preoperative therapy

Abstract

Background/Aim: This study aimed to clarify the benefits and disadvantages of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for patients with esophageal cancer (EC) during preoperative therapy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 92 patients who underwent esophagectomy for EC after preoperative therapy. Patients were divided into the PEG group (n=14) and the control group (n=78) and compared regarding patient characteristics, nutritional status, operative variables, and postoperative complications. Results: In the PEG group first nutritional status and tumor stage were significantly worse, but changes of nutritional status from first visit to operation were significantly better. According to the intraoperative thermal imaging, there was no patient with blood flow disturbance in the gastric conduit due to PEG. Short-term surgical outcomes did not significantly differ. Conclusion: PEG has less adverse effects on gastric tube production in esophagectomy and may be considered in highly selective patients during preoperative therapy.