Comparison of the Ease of Insertion of Nasogastric Tube under General Anaesthesia With Respect to Endotracheal Intubation

Abstract

Background: Nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion in anaesthetized, paralyzed and intubated patients is often a difficult and challenging job for anaesthesiologist. The present study was undertaken to compare ease of insertion of NGT under general anaesthesia (GA) with respect to endotracheal intubation (ETI).

Method: Total 130 patients were enrolled in the study and randomly allocated in two equal groups. Group A: NGT was inserted under GA before ETI and Group B: NGT was inserted under GA after ETI. Various parameters including first attempt success rate, number of attempts and time taken for successful NGT insertion, incidence of complications were noted and compared between two groups.

Results: First attempt success rate was found to be significantly higher in group A (76.9%) as compared to group B (53.8%), (p <0.05). 11(16.9%) patients in group A and 27(41.5%) in group B required 2 attempts whereas 6.2% patients in group A and 4.6% patients in group B required 3^rd attempt for successful NGT insertion (p>0.05). Time taken for successful NGT insertion was significantly higher in group B (57.78 sec) than group A (35.72 sec). In group A 15.4% patients had bleeding and no incidence of kinking or coiling while in group B, 27.7% patients had bleeding, 6.2% had coiling and 9.2% of patients had kinking (p <0.05).

Conclusion: In anaesthetised patients with adequate starvation and without anticipated difficult airway, NGT insertion is easier before ETI as it requires fewer attempts, less time and maneuvers as well as minimal complications as compared to NGT insertion after ETI.