Digital assistance of nasogastric tube insertion in intubated patients under general anesthesia: A single-blinded prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND: Nasogastric 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 METHODS: In 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). RESULTS: Overall 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). CONCLUSIONS: Digital 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.