Comparison of ease of insertion of nasogastric tube in standard sniffing position and in additional flexion of the neck: A randomized control trial

Abstract

BackgroundNasogastric tube insertion under anaesthesia have high reported failure rate of almost 50%.Use of front of the neck manipulations and airway instrumentation are not without complications. We hypothesized that flexion of the neck assisted NGT insertion can result in more successful nasogastric intubations over the conventional technique. Aims and objectivescomparison of the ease of insertion, success rate, insertion time, manoeuvres needed and complications of NG Tube placement with the neck in standard sniffing position and in additional neck flexion. MethodsTwo hundred patients of ASA physical status I and II undergoing surgery under general anaesthesia and endotracheal intubation were enrolled. After induction of general anaesthesia they were randomized into two groups. Group A: NG tube insertion in the sniffing position. Group B, NG tube insertion with additional flexion of the neck.The success rate of the technique, duration of insertion, maneuvers used and the occurrence of complications was noted. ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference in the number of attempts, manoeuvres used, time for insertion and failure rates between the groups p-001. ConclusionAdditional flexion of the neck, results in more successful and faster nasogastric intubation times with lower complication rates as compared to the traditional technique.