Gastric Outlet Obstruction Caused by Foley Catheter: A Complication when Substituting for Commercial Gastrostomy Tubes

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2018 Jan 9;2(1):35-38. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.2017.10.35930. eCollection 2018 Feb.

Abstract

The technique of using percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for long-term enteral feeding is well established and commonly used. While the technique is relatively safe and simple, the gastrostomy tube itself may deteriorate or malfunction, requiring a replacement tube. We present a case of a 58-year-old woman who was found to have gastric outlet obstruction from the inflated balloon of a Foley catheter being used as a replacement for her PEG tube. This case illustrates a potential complication of using a Foley catheter in place of commercially available gastrostomy tubes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports