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

• Authors: Vu Sawlar, Emory University; Amanda B. Lewis, Emory University; Brooks Moore, Emory University
• Journal Title: Clinical Practice and Cases in Emergency Medicine
• Volume: Volume 2, Number 1
• Publisher: eScholarship Publishing, University of California | 2018-01-09, Pages 35-38
• Type of Work: Article | Final Publisher PDF
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, General

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. [Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2018;2(1):35-38.]