Massive gastrointestinal bleeding associated with contralateral mucosal abrasion by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube[*]

Table of Contents

Massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) related to percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been described in sporadic reports [1] [2] [3] [4]. After reviewing 246 PEG procedures performed between 2002 and 2008, we identified four episodes (1.6 %) of massive UGIB. Three episodes (in two patients) might result from an unreported mechanism and are presented here.

The first patient was a 61-year-old man with hypoxic encephalopathy, who passed tarry stool 2 months after undergoing PEG replacement with a balloon-type tube (24 Fr; Wilson-Cook, Winston-Salem, North Caroline, USA). Endoscopy revealed a bleeding ulcer at the posterior wall of the gastric body, opposite the tube. Endoscopic hemostasis was carried out with epinephrine injection and hemoclipping. Ten months later, hemorrhage recurred at the same location ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 The balloon-type percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube was located at the anterior wall of the gastric body (a). A bleeding vessel was visible on the posterior wall of the gastric body, opposite the tube (b).

After successful hemostasis with hemoclipping (Resolution clip; Boston Scientific, Natick, Massachusetts, USA) ([Fig. 2 a]), a pull-type PEG (24 Fr; Wilson-Cook) was substituted.

Fig. 2 One hemoclip was placed to achieve hemostasis (a). Three days later, successful hemostasis was confirmed (b). Note the substitute pull-type PEG tube on the anterior wall of the gastric body, and the attached clip (arrow) on the opposite site.

Follow-up endoscopy 3 days later confirmed successful hemostasis ([Fig. 2 b]). The other patient was an 88-year-old man with stroke, who passed maroon-colored stool 1 week after undergoing PEG replacement with the same type of tube. Endoscopy revealed a 1.5-cm oozing ulcer at the opposite site to the PEG, similar to the patient described above. The bleeding ulcer was managed with endoscopic epinephrine injection and high-dose omeprazole infusion (8 mg/h). Unfortunately, although hemostasis was successful, this patient died of subsequent aspiration pneumonia.

Previous reports of PEG-related UGIB have focused on mucosal ulceration resulting from excessive tension between the external and internal bumpers as the cause of hemorrhage [1] [3]. Massive UGIB owing to contralateral mucosal abrasion by the tube has not been reported. In our two patients, the location of the bleeders opposite the internal bumper might be related to mucosal abrasion by the tube [5]. The balloon-type tube (Wilson-Cook) had a segment distal to the balloon, which might abrade the posterior gastric wall and cause ulceration. To conclude, contralateral abrasion by the PEG tube may rarely lead to massive UGIB.

Acknowledgment

We are indebted to Miss Betty, Tzu-en Lin and Mr. Alex, Jen-hao Lin for assistance in this study. This report was supported by Tomorrow Medical Foundation.

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References

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• 3 Chong C, Derigo L, Brown D. Massive gastric bleeding: a rarely seen subacute complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy.  Intern Med J. 2007;  37 787-788
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1 Yao-Chun Hsu and Jai-Jen Tsai contributed equally to this paper.