Abstract

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are a well-established, effective, and a relatively safe technique for long term feeding of patients. However, gastrocolocutaneous fistula is a major complication of PEG.
Case presentation: An 82-year-old woman with cerebral severe infarction underwent uneventful PEG tube placement for enteral feeding. A few months later transient diarrhea developed within minutes after each PEG tube feeding. Another gastrostomy tube was placed surgically and the fistula was then also excised. The postoperative course was uneventful.
Conclusion: Gastrocolocutaneous fistula must be cosidered as a complication of PEG tube placement when patients develop a sudden onset of unexplained diarrhea after tube feeding.

Key words: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, gastrocolocutaneous fistula.