A comparison of balloon and nonballoon gastrostomy tubes in children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare primary outcomes following insertion of balloon and nonballoon gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes).

METHODS: A retrospective chart review over a 5-year period comparing the need for emergency, radiologic, or operative interventions between balloon and nonballoon G-tube devices was performed.

RESULTS: 145 patient charts were reviewed (46.8% female, 53.1% male). The indication for G-tube insertion was failure to thrive in 83.4%. Average age at insertion was 4.3 years (0-17.9 years). 37.2% had a balloon type G-tube, and 62.8% had a nonballoon type. Patients with a nonballoon device had 1.14 (0-15) ER visits related to the G-tube vs. 0.48 (0-6) visits with a balloon device. Of the ER visits for patients with a nonballoon device, 26.9% were replaced in ER, 38.5% in radiology, and 34.6% required an operation for replacement. For patients with a balloon device, 47.8% were replaced in the ER, 52.2% were replaced in radiology (GJ), and none required operative replacement. The majority of patients who initially had a nonballoon G-tube placed required a second operation for device change (95.7%). Patients with nonballoon devices required significantly more operations (average 2.55, range 0-16) vs patients with balloon devices (average 0.40, range 0-3) (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Balloon-type G-tubes require less ER visits and operative interventions compared to nonballoon G-tubes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: C.