Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2022 May;25(3):211-217. 10.5223/pghn.2022.25.3.211.

To Button or Not to Button? Primary Gastrostomy Tubes Offer No Significant Advantage Over Buttons

• Osei H
• Munoz-Abraham AS
• Martino A
• Chatoorgoon K
• Greenspon J
• Fitzpatrick C
• Villalona GA

• KMID: 2529931
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2022.25.3.211

Abstract

Purpose
Outcomes between primary gastrostomy tubes and buttons (G-tube and G-button) have not been established in pediatric patients. We hypothesized that primary G-tube have decreased complications when compared to G-button.
Methods
A retrospective review of surgically placed gastrostomy devices from 2010 to 2017 was performed. Data collected included demographics, outcomes and 90-day complications. We divided the patients into primary G-tube and primary G-button.
Results
Of 265 patients, 142 (53.6%) were male. Median age and weight at the time of surgery were 7 months (interquartile range [IQR], 2–44 months) and 6.70 kg (IQR, 3.98–14.15 kg), respectively. Among the groups, G-tube had 80 patients (30.2%) while G-button 185 patients (69.8%). There were 153 patients with at least one overall complication within 90 days postoperative. There was no significant difference in overall complications between groups (G-tube 63.8% vs. G-button 55.7%, p=0.192). More importantly, there were no significant differences in major complications among the groups, G-tube vs. G-button (5% vs. 4%; p=0.455).
Conclusion
Primary G-tube offers no significant advantage in overall, minor or major complications when compared to primary G-button.

Keyword

Gastrostomy; Tubes; Buttons; Nutrition; Pediatric