My PEG was installed in Oct08. I have been using it since the begining of Nov. My GP tell me the life expectancy is about 6-9 months. He is not a surgent and his only dealing with them, other than check to make sure my is OK is from his time in working at a hospital.
I only meet with the surgeon twice that installed it and he gave me the impression that I wouln't need a new one. But that was months ago.
I resently failed a modified swallowing study and expect to be using the PEG for sometime to come. (next time I will study harder) Do any of you have any idea how long one of this things are good for? What's the standard? I have had no problem with infection. I'm told that the silicon deteriorates after so long in the stomack acids.
Oh and one more thing. If they were to change it out. They wouldn't do that will I was awake would they?
Amy

That might depend on the PEG itself. My second, crappy 12F PEG was prone to clog and only lasted a few months -- Part of the problem was that the end wasn't open, except for a tiny hole. My current PEG was installed in Dec08 and is still going strong (20F), in large part because it is just a tube with a large hole in the end.

In the unlikely event it should start clogging, I know I would actually be able to put a wire or stiff monofilament (weed-whacker cord) down to clean it; even the brush they sell for cleaning the drink tubes on CamelBacks.

Actually, I don't think the silicone dissolves or anything like that, just gets discolored inside by the stomach acids.

Replacement would depend on who you have do it -- When the radio-docs did mine, they just took me down to imaging area, gave me a local, and placed the small tube using a fluoroscope (I got to watch). The small tube had nothing on the end, so was easy to remove (Did it myself several times to clean it, but that's not recommended!)

Personally, I'll always go for the big tube -- More trouble to install and hurts when removed, but does the job it was intended to do.

For the bigger, better tube, the gastro-doc knocked me out and put the endoscope down my throat to install it. Likely, he would also remove the old one while you are out.

Amy...

I had my Peg tube placed the end of July 2007. It was removed Jan 2009. It was working perfect just like when it was installed. Mine lasted 1 1/2 yrs, thats longer than the average patient. Most people are rid of theirs a couple of months after tz ends.

Best of luck with your swallowing. Hope it improves.

I was just reading on a non-cancer group that one young man had a low-profile PEG and it served him for five years -- He finally had to replace it because his abdomen and stomach were growing too far apart, not because the PEG failed.

Amy

I asked my ENT about that at my visit two days ago and she said 6 months to a year. She advised me to watch for leakage as that is the usual sign that the PEG is failing. My first PEG (a lousy 12 FR) in March lasted less than a month, I have had the current PEG (just okay 14 FR)since April 2, 2009 (I refused to go in on April's Fools' Day ) and while it is a hassle, it is working.
I will check with my RO and MO next week at their visits and let you know what their experience has been
Hang in there
charm

I just went in for debriding of the excess skin growth around the stoma and it was a well-timed visit because the two plugs on the PEG end were failing (the pull-tabs were ripping). The nurse gave me a replacement and a spare, which just slide onto the end of the PEG. She also mentioned that if that junction ever started to leak, just remove it, cut about 1/4 inch off the end of the PEG tubing and reinstall.

BTW, I made a plug for the holes out by cutting off the fitting on the end of the 'Roo bag and tying an overhand knot in the tubing, pulling it tight with pliers and then trimming it.

Pete,
My plug, the main one, is completely torn off. I ordered one on line. It's crappy and leaks. I'm up and moving I don't want "food" all over my clothes. So I put the old one back in. I'm just scared to death I'm going to loose the plug. I did once, in my ex-husbands driveway! Beautiful seen, me crying, husband and grown kids on the ground looking for something they'd never seen before. Me hyperventalating. Them thinking I had finially lost my mind! They found the thing though. Washed it off and it's back in.
I have an appt. with a GI the end of this week. My plan is to ask him what he thinks and go from there.
Thanks
Amy

I had two PEGS in. Both lasted between 8-10 months each. I had them in for a total of 18 months. When the first one broke and fell out I had it replaced in the ER because I wasn't ready to eat enough by mouth and still needed my nutrition via PEG. About 10 months later the second one broke and I just let them take it out and didn't have another one put back in. I was ready to let it go and was eating more. I then just supplemented my eating with drinking Ensure Plus to help me gain and maintain my weight.

From CRTaylor - I have had a PEG since Nov 2007. It has been changed 4 times and the last time was May 12, 2009. It is made of a translucent silicone and no one has told me that there is a limitation on how long one of these will last. I had to have replacements because they came out and when I went to the ER the doctors said replacement was the best option versus reinstalling the one that had come out. I was awake each time the tubes were replaced. A local pain killer was used, lanacane or lidacane or both together (please forgive my spelling). There was some discomfort, but no real pain in the process. I have had no trouble with the current tube. I have learned in the last two years to ask questions. Get second opinions. I hope this information helps you.

Okay- Update. My second PEG installed April 2, 2009 has now started to leak big time. I have taped it up with waterproof white surgical tape and will be calling Monday to get a replacement. The life of this PEG was just over 9 months. The leak is near the stoma so no room to cut it off as suggested.
This time I intend to ask for a mic-key button of at least 20 FR as I am awaiting my VitaMix so I can start eating healthy again. The Jevity is just corn maltodextrin and corn syrup solids and if that is healthy than every nutrition book I have read or even heard about on Cancer is wrong.
charm