Abstract

PENALOZA RAMIREZ, Arecio; SUAREZ CORREA, Juliana; BLANCO RUBIO, Luis  and  PENALOZA ROSAS, Arecio. Is percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy ethically acceptable?. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.2, pp.150-160. ISSN 0120-9957.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy has become the technique of choice. Nevertheless, because of its easy introduction, it is used for patients and under circumstances which are very questionable. Currently, what is considered ordinary and what is considered extraordinary in the care of patient has become a very common debate. Technology has evolved that can keep humans alive, who years ago would have died as a result of the natural course of their diseases. These forms of life sustained by artificial methods have been questioned and even considered unworthy because they violate basic principles of autonomy and patient benefit. With the rapid development of medicine, we need to stop and think about the ethical implications of our daily lives, even before any technical reasoning

Keywords : Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy; ethics; autonomy; charity; ethical; terminally ill; futility.

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