Patients with tumours of head and neck represent a group at high risk for the development of malnutrition already at the time of establishing the diagnosis. The subsequent multimodal therapy frequently follows to deterioration of the already unfavorable nutritional condition, which is the result of combined swallowing difficulties after extensive surgical interventions in this are and unfavorable effect of subsequent radio/chemotherapy. Nasogastric tube was until recently the preferred tool at many workplaces as a single form to provide the nutrition. The authors describe their five years of experience in the application of percutaneous endoscopic gastroscopy as amethod for adequate provision postoperation nutrition in 50 patients with tumours of head and neck. They discuss specific problems, advantages and limitations of the method. In the case of extensive operation intervention with planned subsequent radiotherapy the authors prefer percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy immediately succeeding the resection of primary tumour.

        Key words: percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, tumours of head and neck, malnutrition, dysphagia.