The patient is not or cannot receive necessary nutrition PO. PEG tube placement is done to provide a direct route for nutrition and drugs.
This procedure is aided by endoscopy. The endoscope is inserted and advanced to the stomach. The stomach is then insufflated which brings it closer to the abdominal wall. A needle is inserted percutaneously, followed by a guide wire, and then the PEG tube. All is done while viewing with the endoscope.
