The routine use of a flumazenil infusion following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement to reduce early post-procedure mortality

Objectives: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) insertion offers secure enteral nutrition, but there is a significant mortality associated with the procedure. We reviewed our sedation practice and the effect of yearly protocol changes to establish if the routine reversal of midazolam with a flumazenil infusion improved mortality.

Methods: Since 2003 yearly protocol changes have been introduced, including pre-assessment and sedation reversal. We retrospectively audited one-week and one-month mortality and aspiration rates.