Is metoclopramide beneficial for the postpyloric placement of nasoenteric tubes? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Application of Gastric Tube Decompression for Rapid Tip Positioning in Bedside Blind Insertion of Nasoenteric Tubes

Objective

This study aims to examine the efficacy of gastric tube decompression in rapid tip positioning during bedside blind insertion of nasoenteric tubes.

Methods

Between August 2023 and July 2024, patients who were critically ill in the emergency intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital in Beijing who required nasoenteric tube placement were enrolled in this study. Gastric tube decompression was used to facilitate the tip positioning of nasoenteric tubes inserted blindly (without direct visualization), at the bedside. The accuracy of this method was verified by comparing the results to the "gold standard" of abdominal X-ray imaging. Consistent results indicated successful positioning. Additionally, the number of positioning attempts, time taken, and associated adverse events were recorded as outcome indicators.

Results

A total of 55 patients who were critically ill were included in the study, achieving a positioning conformity rate of 98.18% (54/55). The first-time positioning conformity rate was 94.55% (52/55). The median time for positioning attempts was 21 minutes (18, 28 minutes). The sensitivity was recorded at 100%, and no related adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Gastric tube decompression can rapidly and accurately determine the position of the nasoenteric tube tip, providing a safe and convenient method with a high accuracy rate. This technique enhances the safety of long-term nasoenteric tube placement in patients who are critically ill and enhances the efficiency of blind nasoenteric tube insertion.

Role of registered dietitians in nasoenteric feeding tube placement

Provision of enteral nutrition (EN) in hospitalized patients is an integral part of clinical care. For various reasons, including but not limited to delayed enteral access placement and EN initiation, it is becoming more prevalent for registered dietitians (RDs) to place feeding tubes in various clinical settings. Although numerous RDs have expanded their practice by learning this skill, many remain hesitant about adding feeding tube placement to their scope of responsibilities. Feeding tube placement is within RDs' scope of practice. The recently updated Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) standards is requiring dietetic interns to learn the process and assist in placing feeding tubes. This will help promote the inclusion of this practice and open doors for future advancement in the scope of practice for RDs. This review will provide an overview of feeding tube placement methods, evidence-based techniques, training, competencies, and barriers to accepting this practice in dietetics.

Single-arm trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of baclofen in treatment of intractable hiccup caused by malignant tumor chemotherapy

Previous studies suggest that baclofen may be useful in the treatment of intractable hiccup caused by chemotherapy. This study was aimed to assess the possible efficacy and safety of baclofen. In total, 65 patients with intractable hiccup caused by chemotherapy were screened. 45 patients with intractable hiccup caused by chemotherapy were finally recruited. Participants in the trial received 10 mg baclofen three times daily for 3 days. The primary outcome measure was cessation of hiccups. Secondary outcome measures included efficacy and adverse events. All 45 patients completed the study. Among them, 41 cases were cured (91.11%, 41/45), 4 cases were relieved (8.89%, 4/45), and the overall effective rate was 100% (45/45). Furthermore, the median remission time was 2(1, 9) times, the median cure time was 2(1, 9) times, the remission rate of one-time was 13.33% (6/45), the remission rate of two-time was 53.33% (24/45), and 2 cases (4.44%, 2/45) relapsed after drug withdrawal. No serious adverse events were documented. Only 1 case (2.22%) had grade 2 fatigue and 2 cases (4.44%) had grade 1 sleepiness. Baclofen is safe and effective in the treatment of intractable hiccup caused by chemotherapy of malignant tumor.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention in the Intensive care unit using Postpyloric tube feeding in China (VIP study): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a challenge in critical care and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Although some consensuses on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia are reached, it is still somewhat controversial. Meta-analysis has shown that postpyloric tube feeding may reduce the incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia, which still desires high-quality evidence. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety profiles of postpyloric tube feeding versus gastric tube feeding.

METHODS/DESIGN

In this multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial, we will recruit 924 subjects expected to receive mechanical ventilation for no less than 48 h. Subjects on mechanical ventilation will be randomized (1:1) to receive postpyloric or gastric tube feeding and routine preventive measures simultaneously. The primary outcome is the proportion of patients with at least one ventilator-associated pneumonia episode. Adverse events and serious adverse events will be observed closely.

DISCUSSION

The VIP study is a large-sample-sized, multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel-group, controlled trial of postpyloric tube feeding in China and is well-designed based on previous studies. The results of this trial may help to provide evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2100051593 . Registered on 28 September 2021.

A Two-Stage Bedside Intubation Method to Improve Success Rate of Post-pyloric Placement of Spiral Nasoenteric Tubes in Critically Ill Patients: A Multi-Center, Prospective Study

Backgrounds

Prokinetic agents could improve the success rate of post-pyloric placement of self-propelled spiral nasoenteric tubes (NETs), and bedside blind technique might apply as a rescue therapy subsequent to spontaneous transpyloric migration failure. The objective of this study was to investigated the validity and safety of these two bedside intubation methods as a sequential procedure for post-pyloric placement of spiral NETs in critically ill patients.

Methods

The multicenter, prospective study was conducted in intensive care units of four tertiary hospitals (June 2020 to January 2021). Eligible patients received self-propelled spiral NET placements, promoted by prokinetic agents (Stage 1). An abdominal X-ray performed 24 h post-intubation confirmed the position of the tube tip. Patients with a failed transpyloric migration entered Stage 2, where beside blind intubation was conducted (reconfirmed by X-ray). The primary end point was the overall success rate of post-pyloric placement.

Results

The overall success rate of post-pyloric placement of the spiral NET was 91.1% (73.4% in the third portion of the duodenum [D3] or beyond). The total adverse event rate was 21.0%, without any serious adverse events. In Stage 1, 55.6% of participants achieved transpyloric migration, of these, 44.4% migrated to D3 or beyond. The median time from decision to intubate to the initiation of enteral nutrition (EN) was 25 h. In Stage 2, 83.0% of patients had successful post-pyloric intubation (67.9% in D3 or beyond). The median time from decision to EN initiation after the two-stage process was 36 h.

Conclusions

Prokinetic agents-assisted self-propelled intubation and remedial bedside blind technique as a sequential procedure for post-pyloric placement of spiral NETs were effective and safe, and this two-stage process did not affect the implementation of early EN in critically ill patients.

Trial Registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900026381. Registered on 6 October 2019.