Published online Sep 16, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i26.7772
Peer-review started: February 28, 2021
First decision: April 24, 2021
Revised: May 11, 2021
Accepted: July 2, 2021
Article in press: July 2, 2021
Published online: September 16, 2021
Processing time: 194 Days and 5.2 Hours
Several techniques of nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion have been described in the literature with different success rates. The best NGT insertion method is still unclear.
No meta-analysis has summarized the evidence with the intent to provide reliable information both in terms of relative advantages of the techniques and their associated complication rates.
To compare the success rates, insertion time, and complications associated with different techniques of NGT insertion in anesthetized and intubated patients.
An electronic search of the PubMed, Scopus, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and Google Scholar databases was performed up to October 31, 2019.
Seventeen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) featuring data on 2500 patients showed that successful insertion of the NGT on the first attempt was higher with modified techniques such as the reverse Sellick’s maneuver, use of a frozen NGT, adopting neck flexion and lateral neck pressure, as well as endotracheal tube-assisted and video-assisted placements. All modified techniques also led to comparatively higher overall insertion success rates.
The use of modified techniques of NGT insertion appears superior to conventional methods. However, limited available data makes drawing a strong conclusion diffi
Further homogenous large-scale RCTs comparing multiple techniques of NGT in