Nasogastric and nasoenteric intubation

Among the most commonly performed nonvascular procedures in hospitalized patients are the placement of nasogastric tubes and nasoenteric feeding tubes. Large-bore nasogastric tubes are commonly used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; small-bore nasoenteric tubes are used primarily for intestinal feeding. The techniques of insertion, methods of ensuring proper positioning, and the potential complications of these devices are similar, and thus they are reviewed together in this article.