Prolonged duodenal paralysis after PEG placement in a patient with traumatic brain injury: a case report

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2011 Mar;47(1):49-51. Epub 2010 Oct 8.

Abstract

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has recently become a usual procedure for patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness after brain injuries. Despite a high rate of success and a very low procedure-related mortality, morbidity associated to PEG placement reaches 9.4% in a recent large meta-analysis. This case report describes an uncommon complication of PEG placement in a patient with vegetative state after traumatic brain injury: the development of prolonged duodenal paralysis. This patient was treated by placement of a transient jejunostomy until recovery of duodenal functional activity, to permit adequate nutrition. This procedure-related complication is previously unreported in scientific literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Injuries / complications*
  • Brain Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Duodenum / physiopathology*
  • Gastrostomy / adverse effects*
  • Gastrostomy / methods
  • Gastrostomy / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Male
  • Paralysis / etiology
  • Young Adult