EGD with PEG Placement

What should I expect?

An EGD (EsophagoGastroDuodenoscopy) is an exam done to see the inner lining of the throat from the esophagus to the first part of the small intestine. It is done to check for narrowing, precancerous changes, ulcers, or abnormal growths. It may also help diagnose reflux or bleeding.

A PEG (Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy) is a tube that is placed into the stomach at the time of the EGD. A small ½ inch cut is made in the skin in the left upper part of the belly. A tube is pulled from the inside of the stomach out to the skin. This allows a way to put nutrition, medicines, and fluids into the stomach when swallowing is difficult, unsafe, or not possible.

How do I prepare?

After midnight, the night before surgery:

• Do not smoke or chew tobacco.
• Do not eat or drink anything – not even water.
• Do not chew gum.
• Do not suck on mints or hard candy.
• Do not take any medicine unless you are specifically told to do so. If you are told to take medicine, take it with just a small sip of water.
• If you do not follow these instructions, there will be more health risks from the anesthesia. We may even have to postpone your surgery.

If you take any of the following, follow the directions below unless your doctor directs you otherwise:

• Aspirin 325 mg: Stop 7 days before surgery. Start taking 81 mg a day.
• Plavix (clopidigrel): Stop 7 days before surgery Start taking begin aspirin 81 mg a day.
• Coumadin & Pradaxa (dabigatran): Stop 5 days before surgery.
• Xarelto (rivaroxaban) & Eliquis (apixaban): Stop 3 days before surgery.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (such as ibuprofen or Naprosyn): Stop 2 days before surgery.

If you have diabetes, ask your prescriber how to adjust your diabetes medicine since you will not eat or drink anything after midnight.

When and where is my surgery?

Procedure date: _________________________

Your doctor: ___________________________

Arrival time: ___________________________

Procedure time: _________________________

Location:

UK Chandler Hospital
Endoscopy Center
800 Rose Street

859-323-0374 or 859-323-3636

Parking: Park in the Main Hospital parking garage at 110 Transcript Ave. There is a shuttle on Floor A that will take you to the entrance of UK Chandler Hospital Pavilion H. Once there, enter the revolving doors and go to the registration desk. After registering, the clerk will direct you to the Endoscopy Center on the 3rd floor of the hospital.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, please call Dr. Valentino’s surgery scheduler Jamie Fannin at 859-257-4488.

If you are running late, please call 859-323-3636 to tell the Endoscopy Center.

What will happen after surgery?

• Plan on being admitted to the hospital overnight after PEG placement. The nurse will teach you how to use your tube.
• You will also see a nutritionist. The nutritionist will calculate your tube feeding needs before you leave the hospital.
• The discharge coordinator will plan for tube feedings and supplies to be delivered to your home.
• It is common to experience sore throat and gas pains after this surgery. You will also have discomfort at your stomach, especially if the tubing is tugged upon.

When do I seek medical help?

• Call the nurse at 859-257-4488 if you have: worse pain around the tube, fevers, pus draining from the skin, or bad odor.
• Go to the UK HealthCare emergency department if the tube is loose or pulled out. This can lead to serious infection in the belly. It may need emergency surgery to repair.