Life-Threatening Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding following Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Removal under Traction: A Case Report.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are commonly used to facilitate long-term enteral nutrition. Selected PEG tubes may be appropriately removed without endoscopic guidance via gentle traction, which is seldom associated with major bleeding sequelae. Rare reports of major upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage following PEG tube removal have been managed using Foley catheter balloon tamponade or endoscopic over-the-scope clipping. Prompt reinsertion of a PEG tube may also be considered.

Case presentation

We present the case of a multi-morbid 73-year-old female who experienced life-threatening hemodynamically unstable upper GI bleeding following traction PEG tube removal, which proved refractory to standard endoscopic measures of adrenaline injection

SUBMITTER: Shephard CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810975 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature