Placing nasogastric tubes and intracranial pressure

Recently, a new method for placing nasogastric tubes (NGT) in dysphagic patients was proposed, which uses the swallowing reflex and was therefore called 'reflex placement.' The authors describe the use of this method in a patient with a large left sided striatocapsular hemorrhage, in whom decompressive craniotomy had been performed previously. Whereas the conventional approach of placing NGT led to a massive increase of intracranial pressure (ICP) and to a decline in cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), the new method allowed a swift placement with only minor changes of ICP and CPP. The strict avoidance of intermittent peaks of ICP constitutes a basic principle of care in patients with space occupying brain lesions. We therefore suggest that, despite the admittedly larger effort, the reflex placement of NGTs should be used in such circumstances.