ABSTRACT
Aspiration pneumonia due to gastroesophageal reflux is a frequent complication in ICU. The most commonly chosen method for long-term enteral access is gastrostomy and this method also reduces the risk of aspiration and shortens the hospital stay. We evaluated 31 patients in whom PEG was performed between 1997-98 in our unit. Indication of PEG was long-term ICU stay and coma which necessitate long term enteral nutrition. Mean age of our patients were 60.5((19.4). We evaluated the aspiration by clinical inspection. Aspiration and interruption of feeding was observed 1.57 ((1.43) times before PEG and 0.67 ((0.73) times after PEG. Further more positive tracheal aspirate culture were seen 3.14 ((1.95) times before PEG and 1.52 ((1.47) times after PEG.