Nasogastric intubation after abdominal surgery: a meta-analysis of recent literature

To determine whether refraining from nasogastric intubation (NGI) in patients after abdominal surgery will result in the same therapeutic effectiveness as using NGI. Data Source We identified randomized trials from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials published between January 1990 and January 2005.

Two of us independently selected trials based on randomization, abdominal surgery in patients, early vs late removal of the NGI, and reporting at least 1 of the following end points: hospital stay, gastrointestinal function, and postoperative complications.

Two of us independently performed trial quality assessment and data extraction. Trials were judged using a structured list that included factors relating to internal and external validity. Data were entered and analyzed by means of dedicated software from the Cochrane Collaboration.

Seventeen randomized trials met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis showed that NGI does not offer any clinically relevant benefits for patients after abdominal surgery, such as recovery of gastrointestinal function or reduction of postoperative complications (relative risk, 1.18; 95% confidence interval, 0.98-1.42). Moreover, NGI showed some undesired effects, such as discomfort (in 60% of the NGI patients) and a later return to a liquid diet (weighted mean difference, 0.65 days; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.92 days) or a regular diet, whereas hospital stay was not shortened.

Routine NGI seems to serve no beneficial purpose and may even be harmful in patients after modern abdominal surgery; also, it is uncomfortable. Therefore, NGI is recommended only as a therapeutic approach.