Effect of a Novel Gastric Tube Insertion Method Using a Light-Emitting Diode Source and Fiber in Neonates: A...

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Medical Devices
• Clinical Procedures

Background:

• Blind insertion of nasogastric tubes (NGT) or orogastric tubes (OGT) can lead to inaccurate stomach placement.
• Accurate verification of NGT/OGT tip position is crucial for neonate safety and effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy and safety of a light-emitting diode source and fiber (LED-SF) system for confirming NGT/OGT tip placement in neonates.
• To assess the reliability of LED-SF in determining correct tube positioning compared to standard methods.

Main Methods:

• Prospective multicenter study involving 101 neonates requiring NGT/OGT insertion across five tertiary NICUs in Japan.
• Utilized LED-SF technology for initial tip placement verification and compared measured length to post-X-ray determination.
• Statistical analysis included cross-tabulation tests and linear regression.

Main Results:

• 100% of NGT/OGT tips were confirmed to be in the stomach using the LED-SF method.
• No adverse events were reported during the study.
• A significant correlation (r2 = 0.844, P<0.001) was found between insertion length measured by LED-SF and final length confirmed by X-ray.

Conclusions:

• The LED-SF method is an effective, safe, and easily usable tool for verifying NGT/OGT tip placement in neonates.
• LED-SF shows potential as a reliable bedside standard for confirming tube placement in both preterm and term infants.
• Minimal training is required for healthcare providers to utilize this technology effectively.