Efficacy and safety of Naso-Gastric (NG) tube placing by using Guide wire

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Resident of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

3 Intern, Talented Development Office, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Enteral nutrition through a Naso-Gastric (NG) tube is a technique often used for hospitalized patients who have problems with oral nutrition. It can reduce patients mortality and morbidity if be performed correctly. Several methods are used to reduce risk of misplacement of the tube. In present study, we suggest a type of guide wire for correct placement of NG tubes. Methods: It was a clinical trial study carried out in operation room of Al-Zahra hospital, Isfahan, on 60 patients. After abdominal incision, NG tube was placed using guide wire in first group (n=30) and without it in second group (n=30). Patients' profiles, times of trial for tube placement, as well as complications were completely registered and analyzed by SPSS (ver.13). Findings: Mean age of patients was 44.9 years (rang: 18-60). The results show that the mean of trials in first group was 1.26, compared with 2.13 in second group (P-value: 0.011). Seven patients in first group and 11 patients in second group confronted with early complications during performing the procedure. These complications were tube entrapment in nasopharynx (16% in first group and 20% in second group), epistaxis (3% in both groups), and revolving of the tube (3% in first group and 13% in second group) (P-value > 0.05). Conclusion: It seems that use of guide wire for placing the NG tube lead to lower misplacement of the device and may reduce the risk of further complications. Key words: Naso-Gastric Tube, Guide Wire, Complications.