Incidence range of buried bumper syndrome in PEG tube placements?

• A. 10-20%
• B. 5-7%
• C. 0.3-2.4%
• D. 25-30%

Answer: (C)

Buried bumper syndrome is a rare complication after PEG tube placement, occurring when the internal bumper becomes embedded in the gastric wall or along the tract, often due to excessive tension on the tube. The important point is its incidence is low. Across studies and reviews, the commonly cited range is about 0.3% to 2.4% of PEG placements. This is why the range 0.3% to 2.4% best matches the observed data. The much higher percentages would indicate it’s a common complication, which is not supported by the literature. Variation can occur with technique and patient factors, but the standard estimate remains in the low single-digit percentages.