Intraoperative nasogastric tube during colorectal surgery may not be mandatory: a propensity score analysis of a prospective database

Placement of Nasogastric Tubes in Pancreaticoduodenectomy Patients: Switching from Immediate Intraoperative Removal to Avoiding Unnecessary Perioperative Use

BACKGROUND

The placement of nasogastric tubes (NGTs) in abdominal surgery has been adopted for decades to attenuate ileus and prevent aspiration pneumonia. In the recent era, the guidelines recommend not using NGT routinely, and even in pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), immediate removal of NGT in operating rooms (ORs) was suggested. However, the clinical outcome and safety of abandoning NGT during the pre-PD and intra-PD periods remain unknown.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center retrospective review on adult PD patients aged between 20 and 75 years from 2013 to 2022. The study population was grouped into the NGT group (NGT was placed before PD and immediately removed in the ORs) and the non-NGT group (NGT was not placed preoperatively). Safety was evaluated by the number of adverse events. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the need of NGT insertion in ORs among PD patients.

RESULTS

The case numbers in the NGT and non-NGT groups were 391 and 578, respectively. No case in the non-NGT group needed the intraoperative insertion of NGT. The rate of pulmonary complications was 2.3% in the NGT group compared to 1.6% in the non-NGT group (P = 0.400). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in terms of rates of major complications (12.8% vs. 9.3%, P = 0.089) or mortality (1.0% vs. 1.0%, P =0.980) between the two groups. The rates of the postoperative insertion of NGT in the NGT and non-NGT groups were 2.6% and 2.8% (P = 0.840), respectively.

CONCLUSION

For selected PD patients, the placement of NGT during pre-PD and intra-PD periods may be safely omitted. This primary study is considered the first foundation stone in the extension of the element of no NGT in PD.

[The "Big Five" of Invasiveness - the Usefulness of Drains, Probes and Catheters in Colorectal Surgery]

The perioperative management of colorectal resections is often dominated by traditional procedures and a strong focus on safety. Evidence-based measures such as those established in Fast Track or ERAS programs, are rarely applied in a standardised manner. As part of elective colorectal surgery, many patients therefore continue to routinely receive central venous access, peridural catheters, urinary catheters, drains and/or gastric tubes ("Big Five" of invasiveness). This article presents the currently available evidence on these measures in colorectal surgery. In addition, results relating to the "Big Five" from the author's own centre are presented. This review shows that the "Big Five" of invasiveness are clinically unnecessary or supported by evidence. In addition, they often impair the patient's function.

Effects of Gum Chewing on Recovery From Postoperative Ileus: A Randomized Clinical Trail

BACKGROUND

Sham feeding with products such as chewing gum has been theorized to decrease the incidence and time to resolution of postoperative ileus. The conflicting findings in the literature on this subject are because in part of the use of mixed study populations, which has led to difficulties in assessing the value of sham feeding in ameliorating this condition.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of postsurgical gum chewing in restoring normal bowel movement in patients with colorectal cancer who had undergone abdominal surgery for colon resection.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial was used to examine the time to first postoperative flatus and defecation. The intervention group ( n = 30) received xylitol chewing gum on the first day after colon resection, one piece of gum for 15 minutes, 3 times daily, until the time to first flatus and defecation. Both the intervention and control groups ( n = 30) received standard postoperative care and were encouraged to walk as soon as possible after surgery. The time to first flatus was reported by patients.

RESULTS

The time to first flatus and defecation in the intervention group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (39.13 ± 15.66 vs. 52.92 ± 21.97 hours and 54.55 ± 18.90 vs. 77.98 ± 34.59 hours, respectively). However, after controlling for age and surgical duration, only time to first flatus was significantly shorter in the intervention group. Significantly positive correlations were found between time to first flatus and time to first defecation in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

In this study, gum chewing was shown to have a positive effect on the time to first postoperative flatus and defecation. This inexpensive and noninvasive intervention may be recommended to decrease the time to resolution of postsurgical ileus in middle-aged and older patients who have undergone open abdominal surgery for colorectal resection.

Study on Influencing Factors Analysis of Gastric Tube Insertion Length and Construction of Estimation Method

Background

Influenced by individual differences, the depth of gastric tube placement is often different. Clinically, it is necessary to seek a simple and accurate gastric tube insertion scheme to improve the clinical efficacy of indwelling gastric tube.

Materials and Methods

A total of 100 adult patients undergoing transesophageal manometry via nose were included in the study. The in vivo length (NCL) of apex-cardia was measured. At the same time, we entered our institutional database, summarized the clinical data of 100 patients, and analyzed the risk factors affecting NCL using stepwise regression analysis.

Results

The NCL length scores of patients with different gender, age, marital status, height, weight, BMI, sitting height, sternum length, hairline-xiphoid process, nose tip-earlobe-xiphoid process and earlobe-xiphoid process were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Height, sitting height, gender, BMI and earlobe-xiphoid process were the factors that affected the NCL length score (P < 0.05). The prediction equation of the estimation method of gastric tube insertion length was as follows: NCL length score = 39.907 + 2.909× height +0.865× sitting height. Adjust R2 to 0.506. NCL was positively correlated with height and sitting height. Among them, the correlation with height (r = 0.711, P < 0.001) and sitting height (r = 0.397, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Height, sitting height, gender, BMI and earlobe-xiphoid process were the factors that affected the score of NCL length. There was a significant positive correlation between height, sitting height and NCL length. On this basis, the length of nasogastric tube insertion could be estimated.