Outpatient Percutaneous Radiologic Gastrostomy in Patients With Head and Neck Tumors

Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy: Under conscious sedation and local analgesia, the ultrasound is performed to determine abdominal structures. The stomach is distended using room air through a nasogastric catheter or a 5 French (Fr) catheter. Gastropexy is performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The stomach is accessed using a 18 gauge (G) needle. Guidewire is advanced to the stomach. Progressive tract dilatations until the size of the gastrostomy tube is achieved. The catheter is advanced through the peel-away sheath. The catheter's balloon is inflated with 10ml of distilled water. Iodine contrast is injected to confirm position. After the procedure, the patient is observed for 3 hours. If there are no complications, the patient is discharged.