Simple method for placing nasogastric tubes in patients with dysphagia

Patients who have had an acute stroke often have dysphagia and tube feeding becomes necessary. In these patients placing nasogastric tubes is often difficult, or even impossible. We describe a simple method for placing nasogastric tubes by inducing the swallowing reflex, which is independent of the patient's ability to co-operate. Among nine patients for whom the conventional methods had failed 20 placements were made, 19 of which were successful. Our approach is much less distressing for patients than conventional methods.