Brief Answer: Is seen in 10-15 % of the patients sir/ma'am Detailed Answer: Hello sir/ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and understand how this can be a cause for concern. But in my opinion and from my experience, almost 80 % of patients who have a PEG tube inserted, do not experience the discharge or trouble with healing for more than a few days after the procedure. A few individuals do experience difficulties with healing for a longer period of time, but this is mainly due to other medical conditions like insufficient blood supply to the region (proper blood supply promotes healing), conditions like diabetes, etc; that all effect the process of healing; thus resulting in such a presentation. I would also like to mention one such elderly gentleman who did not have such medical conditions that would prevent healing, but still experienced these troubling symptoms; for which we simply had to remove the tube for a few days, after which a new one was reinserted successfully. So in conclusion, I would like to say that this may be common, but it is better to rule out all such conditions that can cause such a presentation, and once these conditions have been ruled out we could either help your mother to be more comfortable with this tube, or request for a new tube to be inserted. I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help. Best wishes.

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Brief Answer: All queries addressed sir/ma'am Detailed Answer: Hello once again. A retainer would be inserted in the current location until healing takes place. Her doctor will decide if a new tube may be inserted simultaneously in a new location or whether they wish to use the same location after healing takes place to improve the currently used site. I understand how her age is a factor here, which is why I would also keep removal and reinsertion as the last option. Yes sir/ma'am, the hole would close after prolonged duration after removal. But as mentioned earlier, her doctor will have to decide whether or not your mother can tolerate the procedure, and whether a new tube can be reinserted in a new site or the old one should be used. Yes sir/ma'am, removal of the PEG tube for a short period of time can initiate the healing process that would result in closing of the hole. Well time period can vary from one individual to another, and as I mentioned in my previous response a few medical conditions can also influence this duration, but in a normal individual the time taken for complete closure of this hole can vary from about 3-7 days. I hope I have addressed your current issues. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always available to help. God bless.

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