Impact of early percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement on nutritional status and hospitalization in patients with head and neck cancer receiving definitive chemoradiation therapy

• DOI: 10.1002/hed.21624
• Publication Date: 2010-12-15T18:32:27Z
• Authors: Charles E. Rutter; Susannah Yovino; Rodney Taylor; Jeffrey Wolf; Kevin J. Cullen; Robert Ord; Mindy Athas; Ann Zimrin; Scott Strome; Mohan Suntharalingam
• Keywords: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; Feeding tube; Gastrostomy tube; Chemoradiotherapy

Abstract Background This study analyzed the impact of timing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement on clinical endpoints in patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Methods In all, 111 who underwent CRT for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma head and neck (SCCHN) were retrospectively to determine effect PEG weight loss, hospitalizations, rates complications/dependence. Results Early was correlated reductions loss during ( p < .001, R = 0.495), hospitalization nutritional deficits .011, 0.262), magnitude persistent at 6 weeks post‐CRT .003, 0.347). Disease control only predictor dependence. No differences seen complication or dependence with earlier placement. Conclusions The results our series show that SCCHN definitive may derive significant benefit from early tubes supplementation. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck,