Preventing gastric regurgitation with a ballooned nasogastric tube

Regurgitation and aspiration of gastric contents remain a major source of morbidity and mortality in the perioperative period. A modified nasogastric tube has been designed with an integral balloon which is inflated in the stomach and impacted, by gentle traction, at the gastro-oesophageal junction, to prevent gastro-oesophageal reflux. Preliminary studies demonstrate its effectiveness in improving the competence of the gastro-oesophageal sphincter.