Project description:BackgroundA nasogastric tube (NGT) is commonly inserted into patients undergoing abdominal surgery to decompress the stomach during or after surgery. However, for anatomic reasons, the insertion of NGTs into anesthetized and intubated patients may be challenging. We hypothesized that the use of a tube exchanger for NGT insertion could increase the success rate and reduce complications.MethodsOne hundred adult patients, aged 20-70 years, who were scheduled for gastrointestinal surgeries with general anesthesia and NGT insertion were enrolled in our study. The patients were randomly allocated to the tube-exchanger group or the control group. The number of attempts, the time required for successful NGT insertion, and the complications were noted for each patient.ResultsIn the tube-exchanger group, the success rate of NGT insertion on the first attempt was 92%, which is significantly higher than 68%, the rate in the control group (P = 0.007). The time required for successful NGT insertion in the tube-exchanger group was 18.5 ± 8.2 seconds, which is significantly shorter than the control group, 75.1 ± 9.8 seconds (P < 0.001). Complications such as laryngeal bleeding and the kinking and knotting of the NGT occurred less often in the tube-exchanger group.ConclusionsThere were many advantages in using a tube-exchanger as a guide to inserting NGTs in anesthetized and intubated patients. Compared to the conventional technique, the use of a tube-exchanger resulted in a higher the success rate of insertion on the first attempt, a shorter procedure time, and fewer complications.
Project description:The aim of this study was to determine whether an improved biologically transparent illumination system results in more reliable detection of the correct position of the nasogastric tube in surgical patients. In total, 102 patients undergoing general surgery were included in this prospective observational study. After general anesthesia, all patients were inserted a nasogastric tube equipped with an improved biologically transparent illumination catheter. Identification of biologically transparent light in the epigastric area indicated successful insertion of the nasogastric tube into the stomach. The position of the tube was confirmed by X-ray examination, and its findings were compared with those of the biologically transparent illumination system. We observed biologically transparent light in epigastric area in 87 of the 102 patients. X-ray examination revealed that the nasogastric tube was placed in the stomach in all of these 87 patients. Light was not observed in the remaining 15 patients; the tube position was confirmed in the stomach in 11 of these patients but not in the other 4 by X-ray examination. Illumination had a sensitivity of 88.8% and a specificity of 100%. Our results suggest that this improved biologically transparent illumination system increased the accuracy of detecting the correct position of a nasogastric tube in the stomach. X-ray examination is required to check the position of the nasogastric tube in patients when biologically transparent illumination light is negative.
Project description:IntroductionPerforming Nasogastric Tube (NGT) insertion is very challenging in anesthetized and intubated patients. The current study aimed at comparing Digital (two-finger) and Video Laryngoscopy methods for NGT insertion in the mentioned patients.MethodsThe present single-blind clinical trial was performed on 76 intubated patients, who were randomly divided into two groups. Groups A and B underwent Video Laryngoscopy and Digital (two-finger) methods, respectively. Then, the success rate, the number of attempts to insert NGT, duration of insertion, hemodynamic parameters, and patients' satisfaction level were recorded and compared between groups.ResultsThe mean duration of NGT insertion in group A was significantly higher than that of group B (19.07 ± 2.07 vs 11.53 ± 2.16 seconds; P value=0.001). The success rate was higher in group B (94.7% vs. 78.9%; P value=0.042). Considering the interfering factors such as patients' body mass index (BMI), the odds of success in group B was reported to be 8.49 times higher than that of group A (P value =0.028).ConclusionDigital method can be considered as a safe and appropriate method of NGT insertion for intubated cases with high success rate and speed of performance.
Project description:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using biologically transparent illumination to detect the correct position of the nasogastric tube in surgical patients. This prospective observational study enrolled 102 patients undergoing general surgeries. In all cases, a nasogastric tube equipped with a biologically transparent illumination catheter was inserted after general anesthesia. The identification of biologically transparent light in the epigastric area either with or without finger pressure indicated that the tube had been successfully inserted into the stomach. X-ray examination was performed to ascertain the tube position and was compared with the findings of the biologically transparent illumination technique. Biologically transparent light was detected in 72 of the 102 patients. In all of these 72 patients, the position of the nasogastric tube in the stomach was confirmed by X-ray examination. The light was not detected in the other 30 patients; X-ray examination showed that the nasogastric tube was positioned in the stomach in 21 of these 30 patients but not in the other 9. The sensitivity and specificity of the illumination were 77.4% and 100%, respectively. The results suggest that biologically transparent illumination is a useful and safe technique for detecting the correct position of the nasogastric tube in surgical patients under general anesthesia. When the BT light cannot be identified, X-ray examination is mandatory to confirm the position of the nasogastric tube.
Project description:Nasogastric tube syndrome (NGTS) is a rare but life-threatening complication associated with nasogastric tube (NGT) placement. The effect of the NGT size and type on the development of NGTS has not yet been fully elucidated. We herein report the case of a 77-year-old man with cerebral infarction who was complicated with NGTS. The immediate removal of the NGT improved the symptoms of NGTS. Although the NGT was passed through the same route during reinsertion, the use of a softer and smaller-sized NGT did not cause any NGTS recurrence. To prevent the development of NGTS, using a NGT that is appropriate for the patient's condition is important.
Project description:BackgroundNasogastric tube (NGT) insertion may pose a special problem in patients under general anesthesia with first attempt failure rates up to 50%. To increase insertion success rate and decreases related complications, several techniques have been developed. In this study, digital assistance technique is compared to the classic insertion technique in neck flexion.Materials and methodsIn this prospective randomized study, 160 patients were randomly allocated into two groups; control group (Group C, n = 80) where NGT tube will be inserted with the neck in flexion position and digital facilitation group (Group D, n = 80).ResultsOverall success rate and first attempt success were statistically higher in Group D compared to Group C (94% vs. 81%, P = 0.02, 80% vs. 62%, P = 0.01 respectively) with significantly lower insertion time in Group D (13 ± 5 s. vs. 10 ± 3 s., P = 0.00).ConclusionsDigital assistance of NGT insertion in the anesthetized or unconscious patient is an effective, fast, and safe method that can be either used as a routine technique or as a rescue in case of failed other methods.
Project description:IntroductionNasogastric tube (NGT) placement is a procedure commonly performed in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients. Chest X-Ray is the diagnostic gold-standard to confirm its correct placement, with the downsides of requiring MV patients' mobilization and of intrinsic actinic risk. Other potential methods to confirm NGT placement have shown lower accuracy compared to chest X-ray; end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) and pH analysis have already been singularly investigated as an alternative to the gold standard. Aim of this study was to determine threshold values in ETCO2 and pH measurement at which correct NGT positioning can be confirmed with the highest accuracy.Materials & methodsThis was a prospective, multicenter, observational trial; a continuous cohort of eligible patients was allocated with site into two arms. Patients underwent general anesthesia, orotracheal intubation and MV; in the first and second group we respectively assessed the difference between tracheal and esophageal ETCO2 and between esophageal and gastric pH values.ResultsFrom November 2020 to March 2021, 85 consecutive patients were enrolled: 40 in the ETCO2 group and 45 in the pH group. The ETCO2 ROC analysis for predicting NGT tracheal misplacement demonstrated an optimal ETCO2 cutoff value of 25.5 mmHg, with both sensitivity and specificity reaching 1.0 (AUC 1.0, p < 0.001). The pH ROC analysis for predicting NGT correct gastric placement resulted in an optimal pH cutoff value of 4.25, with mild diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.79, p < 0.001).DiscussionIn patients receiving MV, ETCO2 and pH measurements respectively identified incorrect and correct NGT placement, allowing the identification of threshold values potentially able to improve correct NGT positioning.Trial registrationNCT03934515 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Project description:An affordable and reliable way of confirming the placement of nasogastric tube (NGT) at point-of-care is an unmet need. Using a novel algorithm and few sensors, we developed a low-cost magnet tracking device and showed its potential to localize the NGT preclinically. Here, we embark on a first-in-human trial. Six male and 4 female patients with NGT from the general ward of an urban hospital were recruited. We used the device to localize the NGT and compared that against chest X-ray (CXR). In 5 patients, with the sensors placed on the sternal angle, the trajectory of the NGT was reproduced by the tracking device. The tracked location of the NGT deviated from CXR by 0.55 to 1.63 cm, and a downward tracking range of 17 to 22 cm from the sternal angle was achieved. Placing the sensors on the xiphisternum, however, resulted in overt discordance between the device's localization and that on CXR. Short distance between the sternal angle and the xiphisternum, and lower body weight were observed in patients in whom tracking was feasible. Tracking was quick and well tolerated. No adverse event occurred. This device feasibly localized the NGT in 50% of patients when appropriately placed. Further refinement is anticipated.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05204901.
Project description:BackgroundOver a million gastric tubes are placed yearly for varying medical reasons including gastric decompression. In the operating room (OR), this is performed blindly, and position is confirmed by auscultation, aspiration, or palpation by a surgeon. Despite the known risks of malpositioned gastric tubes, there is limited data in anesthesia literature about the incidence of intraoperative malpositioned gastric tubes. In this study, we use Point-of-Care ultrasonography (POCUS) to confirm gastric tube placement in the OR.MethodsProspective observational study with a total of 149 subjects, all over 18 years of age, undergoing surgery with general endotracheal anesthesia and intraoperative blind placement of a gastric tube by an anesthesia provider. The primary objective of this study is to determine the incidence of malposition of blindly placed gastric tubes.ResultsIn our analysis, we found that out of 149 patients 110 patients were successfully visualized; the incidence of malposition was 0.14 [95% CI: 0.08-0.21]. We did not find age, Body Mass Index, or sex to be associated with predisposing patients to intraoperative malposition of gastric tube. However, increasing years of experience of anesthesia provider correlated with higher malposition rates.ConclusionsIn summary, we demonstrated that the incidence of malposition of blindly gastric tubes was 14%. Given the attendant risks of malpositioned gastric tubes, this data should inform decision algorithms for the blind placement of gastric tubes.
Project description:Simple Summary In horses with colic (abdominal pain), it is vital to be able to identify and remove fluid building up in their stomachs. Ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic that is often used to estimate the size of the stomach in horses with colic, but our knowledge of ultrasound of the stomach in horses with colic is not complete. Because horses with colic may or may not be eating and a veterinarian often passes a stomach tube to help remove or give fluid, we need to know how feeding and the use of a stomach tube affects ultrasound of the stomach to help veterinarians interpret ultrasound of the stomach in horses with colic appropriately. In a group of healthy horses, ultrasonography revealed that feeding, stomach tube placement, and giving fluid, increased the size of the stomach. After fluid was given, it could be consistently identified within the stomach with ultrasound. Based on our findings, if a horse has been eating recently or had a stomach tube passed, the size of the stomach on ultrasound may be increased, unrelated to fluid buildup, and looking for fluid in the stomach may be a better method to diagnose fluid building up. Abstract Knowledge of the effects of feeding and nasogastric tube placement and manipulation on gastric ultrasound is limited. Given the variability in duration since feeding and the ubiquitous use of nasogastric tubes in horses with colic, the interpretation of gastric ultrasound in horses with colic requires an understanding of these effects. Cranial to caudal and dorsal to ventral ultrasonographic dimensions of the stomach were obtained in 10 unfed horses and five fed horses, before and after nasogastric tube placement, after checking for reflux and after administration of 6 L of water in unfed horses. Fed horses’ stomachs were larger in both cranial to caudal and dorsal to ventral dimension than unfed horses. Nasogastric intubation and the administration of water increased ultrasonographic gastric dimensions in fed and unfed horses. Checking for reflux did not consistently decrease ultrasonographic gastric dimension in fed or unfed horses. Fluid was consistently identified in the stomach with ultrasound after 6 L of water. Increases in gastric ultrasound dimensions found in horses that have been recently fed and/or had a nasogastric tube placed can occur without pathologic gastric distension related to colic and should be interpreted in this context. In contrast, the identification of fluid in the stomach on ultrasound occurs consistently with fluid administration and may be more useful than standard ultrasound parameters of gastric dimensions to identify horses with colic likely to have significant gastric reflux.