Can anyone give me the pros and cons of a PEG feeding tube.?

My Mother is 92 and has Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Parkinson's, and she is having trouble swallowing foods and liquids. The doctors paint a rosy picture about a PEG tube, and that as her caregiver it would be far easier for me. But I have read some real horror stories on the net about problems, complications, and death after insertion of a PEG tube. I would appreciate any real patient info regarding this.

I work for a surgeon, and we do this procedure often.
I wouldn't call it a risky procedure in itself at all; just the usual anesthesia required for general anesthesia would have the typical risks/precautions...
It may be easier for the patient to receive tube-feedings and easier on you, her caregiver definately.
I believe your only concern would be one of her possibly pulling it out on her own; that CAN happen; especially in a person suffering from dementia, etc...
Other than that, simple and routine care (keeping the skin/insertion site around it very clean), should be all that's required.

The basic insertion is a fairly easy procedure, provided the anaesthetic is tolerated.
Maintenance is important, and, due to the condition that you describe, there will be the danger of self removal.
I add two links that discuss this procedure 鈥?amongst others 鈥?and for reasons other than the one that you describe, however, the procedure is the same.


http://www.drugs.com/CG/
HOW_TO_USE_AND_CARE_
FOR_YOUR_PEG_TUBE.html


http://www.cancerhelp.
org.uk/help/default.asp
?page=10446

Hope this helps
Matador 89

I took care of my father my mother and my stepfather at the end of their lives. (Fortunately it wasn't all at the same time). My stepfather had a peg tube, as he had throat cancer, they wanted to use one with my mother. My father never needed one, and had decided if he got to the point he couldn't eat, he would not want one, he would want to just be let go at that point.

There are many sites, and people who have already answered who can address the mechanics of having one put in. As they said, it is not a difficult procedure. It does require daily cleaning, and you have to watch for infection, however, I did not find this any more difficult than watching for pressure sores, and easier than taking care of a catheter. It's pretty much basic sterile technique and dressing change.

The things I would consider besides the physical issues, are what kind of quality of life does the patient have? Will this enable her to be more comfortable, and allow her to continue living when she is enjoying life, or will the procedure be prolonging a difficult end?

My mother had also been very specific about not wanting feeding tubes or artificial breathing aids, so we didn't really have to make that decision with her either. My step-father had to have the feeding tube put in to even have the surgery, so it was part of the decision to operate. In all 3 cases, it was my parents who had either made their wishes known about being tube fed, or made the decision to have the tube due to the surgery. This made my job, as their only child, and power of attorney, easier when they were no longer able to make those decisions.

Is you mother happy? Did she ever make her wishes about the level of end of life support she would want known? If not, you will have to weigh the pros and cons. I don't think you have too much to worry about with the procedure itself, and it certainly will allow her to live longer.

I would like to remind everyone that this sort of situation is why we should all make our wishes known about how much life support we would want were we ever in the situation where someone else would have to make this decision for us. Most states have living wills, and you can at least let all of those who would likely have to make the decision know.