What is a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy?

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or PEG, is a surgical procedure involving the placement of a feeding tube into a person’s stomach to allow liquids and solids directly into the gastrointestinal tract, says WebMD. The tube goes through the skin of the abdomen and helps people having difficulty swallowing or eating.

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes, notes WebMD. A doctor inserts an endoscope and camera through the mouth of the patient to examine the lining of the stomach and determine the location of the PEG tube insertion. A tiny cut in the abdominal wall facilitates placement of the feeding tube.