Feasibility of Percutaneous Gastrostomy Tube Placement Using Only Local Anesthetic in Patients With Neuromuscular Dysfunction.

Background: Patients with neuromuscular disorders often require gastrostomy tube placement for feeding but routinely have contraindication to sedation due to poor airway control with intubation avoided at the risk of ventilator dependence.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of percutaneous gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placement using only local anesthesia in patients with neuromuscular dysfunction.

Research design: A retrospective chart review was performed from 2013 to 2019 for all patients who underwent percutaneous G-tube placement under local anesthesia only.

Study sample: 12 patients (6 females, 6 males; mean age = 52.3 ± 21.8) with neuromuscular disorders underwent G-tube placement with only local anesthesia.

Data collection: Data collected included demographic data, medical history (source of neuromuscular dysfunction), procedural information, and complications.

Results: Technical success was achieved in 100% of patients with no major complications.

Conclusion: Placement of a percutaneous gastrostomy tube using only local anesthesia is safe and feasible in patients who have a contraindication to sedation due to poor airway control and for whom intubation is avoided due to risk of ventilator dependence.