Nasogastric Tube Insertion in Anaesthetised and Intubated Adult Patients: A Comparison Between the Digital Assistance Technique and Conventional Blind Technique

Abstract

Background and Aims: Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion can be challenging in an anaesthetised patient, with the conventional method bearing a failure rate of about 50%; hence, several different techniques including a novel digital assistance technique has been tried over years. Objectives: To compare the success rates, procedure time and incidence of adverse events for NGT insertion, among the conventional and digital assistance technique in anaesthetised, intubated adult patients. Materials and methods: 80 patients, aged 18 years and above, of either sex, posted for elective surgeries, requiring nasogastric tube intraoperatively, were randomly, divided into two equal groups. After doing endotracheal intubation, NGT were inserted in patients of Group A by conventional method, and that of Group B by digital assistance technique. The procedure time was calculated from insertion of the tip of the NGT into nostril till the confirmation of its position. Number of attempts and total procedure time were recorded upto 5 times, in both the groups. Results: In the first attempt, successful NGT placement and procedure times in Group A was in 19 patients (47.5%) and 68 ± 16.4 seconds respectively while that in Group B was in 32 patients (80%) and 69 ± 13.7 seconds respectively (p value 0.026). Adverse events occurred in 35% in Group A and 15% in Group B (p value 0.069). Conclusion: The digital assistance technique appears to be a better alternative to the conventional blind technique in adult patients with better success rate, less procedure time and lesser adverse events. Keywords: Nasogastric Tube, Conventional Method, Digital Assistance Technique, General Anaesthesia