DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2016.v04i11.038

Pages: 4048-4051

Routine nasogastric tube insertion after elective laparotomy is widely practiced to prevent postoperative ileus and its subsequent complications like vomiting, aspiration, anastomotic leak, wound infection and abdominal wall dehiscence etc. However, nasogastric tubes themselves cause patient discomfort coupled with restrictions in mobility and pulmonary complications. The purpose of our study is to compare the effects and outcomes of routine versus selective nasogastric [NG] tube decompression following elective gastrointestinal [GI] surgeries. One hundred patients, undergoing laparotomy for routine gastrointestinal surgery in the period of one year in PBM HOSPITAL Bikaner, were randomized into two groups of 50 each – GROUP A without NG tube and GROUP B with NG tube postoperatively. Emergency GI surgeries and patients with electrolyte imbalance preoperatively were excluded from this study. 1. Shorter hospital stay in non NG tube group. 2. No significant statistical difference concerning return of bowel function, postoperative vomiting , pulmonary complications and anastomotic leakage. 3. Significant discomfort in NG tube group. Routine NG tube decompression after elective laparotomy causes significant complications and therefore, nasogastric decompression should be used selectively.