Decompression after gastric surgery. Gastrostomy versus nasogastric tube

The efficacy and associated morbidity and mortality of gastrostomy (G) versus nasogastric (NG) tube decompression after gastric surgery were analyzed in a review of 100 patients. Age, sex, and risk factors were homogeneously distributed between the two groups, while perforated ulcers and emergency operations were more common in the G group. A gastrostomy did not completely eliminate the need for NG tube decompression in the G group. Postoperative morbidity was similar in the two groups, with the exception of an increased incidence of atelectasis in the elective NG group and increased mortality in the emergency G group. There was also a significant increase in length and cost of hospitalization in the emergency G group compared with emergency NG patients. Gastrostomy does not appear to offer any significant advantage over nasogastric decompression after gastric surgery and should be limited to special cases.