What do you do when conventional gastric tubes are not an option? In this week’s episode of BackTable, host Dr. Ally Baheti speaks with interventional radiologist Dr. Alex Wallace and physician assistant Lisa Rotellini-Colvet from the Mayo Clinic in Arizona about the percutaneous transesophageal gastrostomy (PTEG) procedure. The discussion explores how PTEG offers a transformative solution for patients who are not candidates for traditional transabdominal gastrostomy access. Suitable candidates for PTEG include individuals with malignancies, peritoneal carcinomatosis, prior gastrectomies, or ascites.

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This podcast is supported by:

Medtronic Emprint
https://www.medtronic.com/emprint

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SYNPOSIS

Dr. Wallace and Lisa provide valuable insights on the benefits of early patient selection, thorough pre-procedural evaluation, step-by-step procedural guidance, and key considerations for post-procedural care. They also highlight the critical role of patient and staff education in achieving successful outcomes. The episode features real-world experiences, including a powerful story of a patient who benefited from her PTEG for over 560 days.

Our guests advocate for increased awareness of PTEG and its early consideration in patients with advanced abdominal cancers, emphasizing its potential to greatly improve quality of life.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Introduction
01:38 - History and Explanation of PTEG
08:12 - Pre-Procedure Evaluation
11:48 - Procedural Walkthrough
20:46 - Post-Procedure Care and Suction Management
24:45 - Exchange Process and Troubleshooting
30:11 - Patient Education and Staff Training
35:54 - Improved Quality of Life for Patients

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RESOURCES

Percutaneous Transesophageal Gastrostomy: Procedural Technique and Outcomes (Rotellini-Coltvet, Wallace et al, 2023):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37419279/