The standard of care in the performance of an image-guided percutaneous gastrostomy tube requires the use of fluoroscopy or equivalent imaging to provide guidance of access needles and catheters through the skin using a safe trajectory into the abdominal cavity. The procedure is performed in such a manner so as to penetrate the stomach as directly as possible without penetration of nearby structures. Doing so prevents injury to such structures, including the intestines and organs such as the liver. The accepted standard of care includes puncture of the inferior aspect of the stomach in a location least likely to encounter vital structures including the liver.
Image-Guided Placement of Percutaneous Gastrostomy Tubes