Comparison Between Geriatric and Non-geriatric Patients in the Development of Complications After Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

Objective: Despite the rising geriatric age and the need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, there are few data regarding its complications and mortality rates in geriatric patients. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients over 18 years old who had a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube inserted between January 2016 and December 2020. Age, gender, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy indications, minor and major post-procedure complications, and 30-day mortality rates were compared between geriatric and non-geriatric patients. Results: Females accounted for 276 (47.6%) of the 580 patients, while 304 (52.4%) were males. Among the study population, 65.7% of the patients were older patients (n=381), and the median age was 67.8 years. Alzheimer's dementia accompanying dysphagia (n=232; 40%) and stroke (n=148; 25%) were the most prevalent diagnoses. No differences were found regarding the complication rate between geriatric patients and non-geriatric patients. The incidence of complications after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy insertion was 35.8%, with 71.1% are minor. Granuloma (12.6%) was the most minor complication while buried bumper syndrome (4.8%) was the most common major complication. However, peristomal leakagenecrotizing fasciitis and aspiration pneumonia was the most lethal complications. The mortality rate was 0.5%, and there was no significant difference between geriatric patients and non-geriatric patients. Conclusion: We established that older age alone was not a risk factor for geriatric patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy because there was no statistically significant difference between the complication and mortality rates of younger and older individuals. Hence, PEG can be used safely on older patients when necessary.