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Nasogastric tube insertion in difficult cases with the aid of a flexible nasendoscope

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2011

J Der Kureghian*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
S Kumar
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
P Jani
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr J Der Kureghian, Department of Otolaryngology, Box 48, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK Fax: +44 01223 217 559 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

Objective:

Nasogastric tube insertion is often difficult, due to a variety of reasons, e.g. skewed laryngeal anatomy. We present a previously unreported method of facilitating nasogastric tube insertion, using a flexible nasendoscope.

Method:

The nasogastric tube is anchored to a flexible nasendoscope using sodium alginate dressing ties. The nasendoscope is then passed into the upper oesophagus, along with the nasogastric tube. Once the nasogastric tube has passed the cricopharyngeus, gentle traction on the nasendoscope releases it from the nasogastric tube. The nasendoscope can then be withdrawn. A previous safety study of sodium alginate ingestion showed no adverse effects.

Conclusion:

This method enables nasogastric tube insertion under direct vision, and allows the tube to be guided past the larynx and into the upper oesophagus.

Type
Short Communication
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2011

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References

1Karagama, YG, Lancaster, JL, Karkanevatos, A. Nasogastric tube insertion using flexible fibreoptic nasendoscope. Hosp Med 2001;62:336–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2Anderson, DM, Brydon, WG, Eastwood, MA, Sedgwick, DM. Dietary effects of sodium alginate in humans. Food Addit Contam 1991;8:237–48CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed