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Prophylactic nasogastric decompression after abdominal surgery.

R Nelson¹, S Edwards, B Tse

¹Surgery, University of Illinois, 1740 West Taylor, Room 2204 m/c 957, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. altohorn@uic.edu

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|January 28, 2005

Summary

Routine nasogastric tube use after abdominal surgery does not improve outcomes. Selective use is recommended, as routine decompression offers no benefits and may increase risks like wound infection.

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Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Surgical Outcomes
Clinical Trials

Background:

Nasogastric tubes are commonly used post-abdominal surgery to improve recovery.
Intended benefits include faster bowel function return, fewer pulmonary issues, and reduced complications.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effectiveness of routine nasogastric decompression after abdominal surgery.
Assessing impact on bowel function, pulmonary complications, anastomotic leakage, patient comfort, and hospital stay.

Main Methods:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.
Included 28 studies with 4194 patients comparing routine vs. selective/no nasogastric tube use.

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Main Results:

Selective or no nasogastric tube use led to earlier return of bowel function (p<0.00001).
No significant differences in pulmonary complications or anastomotic leaks.
Trends suggested increased wound infection and ventral hernia risk with routine use.

Conclusions:

Routine nasogastric decompression fails to achieve its intended goals.
Selective use of nasogastric tubes is advocated over routine application.