Nasogastric tube insertion using different techniques in anesthetized patients: a prospective, randomized study

Area of Science:

• Medical Devices
• Anesthesiology
• Surgical Techniques

Background:

• Nasogastric (NG) tube placement can be challenging, particularly during anesthesia.
• Hypothesized that modified insertion techniques can enhance NG tube placement success rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different techniques for improving nasogastric tube insertion success rates under anesthesia.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving 200 patients compared four groups: control, guidewire, slit endotracheal tube, and neck flexion with lateral neck pressure.
• Key metrics included success rate, insertion duration, and complication occurrence (bleeding, coiling, kinking).
• Statistical analysis used Chi-squared, ANOVA, and Student's t-tests.

Main Results:

• All tested intervention techniques demonstrated higher success rates than the control group.
• The slit endotracheal tube method resulted in significantly longer insertion times.
• Kinking and bleeding were the most frequently observed complications.

Conclusions:

• Ureteral guidewire, slit endotracheal tube, or head flexion with lateral neck pressure can improve NG tube insertion success.
• Head flexion with lateral neck pressure is identified as the simplest technique, offering high success and the fewest complications.