The aim of study: Evaluation of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in patients with head and neck cancer during the period of the years 1999–2002 in our department. Patients and methods: The group of 27 patients with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy introduced within the course of the disease is presented. The pull method of insertion was used. A gastrostomy was introduced in 17 patients during postoperative or single radiotherapy. In 4 patients with advanced incurable tumor it was introduced only as a paliation without any radical treatment, in 3 patients gastrostomy was indicated due to postoperative local complication and in 3 patients gastrostomy was introduced perioperatively immediately after resection of tumour. Results: Only 4 (14.8%) minor complications were observed (extraction by patient, leak around catheter, wound site infection and gastroparesis). Major complications were not observed. Only 5 patients were weaned off gastrostomy after reintroduction of oral food intake (2 patients with postoperative and 2 patients with perioperative insertion after the course of radiotherapy, 1 patient after healing of postoperative wound dehiscence). The average time period of gastrostomy placement in these patients was 65 days. Conclusions: 1. Head and neck cancer is the most common disease suitable for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. In our group these patients count for 30% of all patients indicated to this procedure (27/89). 2. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a safe method in this group of patients. 3. If a surgery is planned then perioperative placement of gastrostomy tube immediately after resection of a primary tumour is most useful technique.

        Key words: head and neck cancer – percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy – indications