OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application value of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) for home nutrition support in patients with stroke and post-traumatic brain.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of the 16 patients with stroke and post-traumatic brain, including cerebral infarction (n = 9), cerebral hemorrhage ( n = 5), subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 1), and cerebral trauma (n = 1). All these patients underwent PEG in our hospital because they were not able to be orally fed.

RESULTSThe weight, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm muscle circumference, and serum albumin, hemoglobin, and lympholeukocyte cell counts 30, 60, and 120 days after hospital discharge were significantly higher than those at hospital discharge (P <0.05 or P <0.01). The NIHSS scores 30, 60, and 120 days after hospital discharge were 14.0 +/- 1.3, 14.0 +/- 1.1, and 3.0 +/- 1.2, respectively, which were significantly lower than 16.0 +/- 1.2 at hospital discharge (all P <0.05). Complications included gastric contents retention (n = 1), backstreaming (n = 1), aspirated pneumonia (n = 1), and intra-cushion syndrome (n = 1).

CONCLUSIONSPEG for home nutrition support is useful for the treatment of patients with stroke and post-traumatic brain with dysphagia and malnutrition after long-term coma. It can help to avoid the deterioration of nutritional status and improve the quality of life.