Abstract

INTRODUCTION

PEG administration has many major and minor complications such as gastrointestinal perforation, bleeding, tube blockage, aspiration pneumonia, peristomal infection, necrotizing fasciitis. Peristomal infection is one of the most common minor complications. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of oral care on peristomal infection before PEG procedure.

METHODS

The patients were divided into two groups as oral care group (Group 1) and untreated (Group 2) before PEG procedure. Peristomal infections were compared between Group 1 and Group 2 during 30 days after PEG administration. The data were recorded in SPSS 22 version. Statistical comparisons were performed using chi-square test. P <0.05 was accepted as the level of significance.

RESULTS

A total of 146 patients were included in the study, 74 patients who underwent oral care (Grup 1) and 72 patients without oral care(Grup 2). Peristomal infection was found in 17 (23.5%) of 72 patients who had no oral care prior to PEG. Peristomal infection was found in 8 (10.8%) of 74 patients who underwent oral care before PEG. Peristomal infection was significantly lower in patients who underwent oral care prior to PEG treatment (P-0,04).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The disadvantage of our study is that it is retrospective. With the broader prospective studies, the accuracy of our results can be confirmed. In conclusion, we recommend oral care before the procedure in order to reduce peristomal infection.