Clinical trial: a randomized study comparing the durability of silicone and latex percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes.

BACKGROUND

The use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for nutrition support is increasing worldwide, but few studies have evaluated the durability of and complications related to the different materials used to manufacture gastrostomy tubes. Latex PEG tubes are widely used in our clinical setting, but no studies have compared their durability with silicone PEG tubes. The aim of the present study was to compare the durability of latex tubes with the durability of silicone tubes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A randomized clinical trial was conducted in patients with head and neck cancer with indications for PEG. Sixty patients were randomized to receive either latex or silicone PEG tubes and followed up for 90 days. The analyzed outcomes were duration, peristomal infection, granulated tissue formation, and leakage around the tube.

RESULTS

The durability of silicone PEG tubes was significantly greater than the durability of latex PEG tubes. The survival curves showed that silicone PEG tubes lasted twice as long (hazard ratio = 2.0, 95% confidence interval = 1.1-3.7, P = 0.01). No differences were found with regard to rate of peristomal infection, granulated tissue formation, or leakage.

CONCLUSION

Silicone PEG tubes are associated with a reduced need for replacement (attributable to higher durability) compared with latex PEG tubes.