Abstract
It is the practice of many surgeons to use the routine nasogastric tube after biliary operations, but its usefulness has been questioned. This study was designed to determine the effect of postoperative nasogastric intubation on gastrointestinal function in patients with obstructive jaundice. In this randomized clinical trial, 40 patients who underwent choledochoduodenostomy or hepaticojejunostomy were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the experimental group did not have the nasogastric tube, and in the control group the nasogastric tube was routinely applied after surgery. Gastrointestinal function was compared in these two groups. Patients with no nasogastric intubation did not show any postoperative complications or prolonged hospital stay. On the contrary, nasogastric tube insertion postponed return of bowel function and increased the incidence of nausea and vomiting, while it did not affect the incidence of postoperative ileus. Routine use of the nasogastric tube after choledochoduodenostomy or hepaticojejunostomy can delay normal gastrointestinal function and increase postoperative discomfort.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Best C (2005) Caring for the patient with a nasogastric tube. Nurs Stand 20:59–65
Williams TA, Leslie GD (2004) A review of the nursing care of nasogastric tube in ill adults. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 20:330–343
Philips N (2006) Nasogastric tubes: a historical context. Med Surg Nurs 15:84–88
Koukouras D, Mastronikolis NS, Tzoracoleftherakis E, Angelopoulou E, Kalfarentzos F, Androulakis J (2001) The role of nasogastric tube after elective abdominal surgery. Clin Ter 152:241–244
Cutillo G, Maneschi F, Franchi M, Giannice R, Scambia G, Benedetti-Panici P (1999) Early feeding compared with nasogastric decompression after major oncologic gynecologic surgery: a randomized study. Obstet Gynecol 93:41–45
Wittbrodt E (2006) The impact of postoperative ileus and emerging therapies. Pharm Treatment 31:39–59
Cheadle WG, Vitale GC, Mackie CR, Cuschieri A (1985) Prophylactic nasogastric decompression: a prospective study of its requirement and the influence of cimetidine in 200 patients. Ann Surg 202:361–366
Zhou T, Wu XT, Zhou YJ, Huang X, Fan W, Li YC (2006) Early removing of gastrointestinal decompression and early oral feeding improve patient’s rehabilitation after colorectostomy. World J Gastroentrol 12:2459–2463
Lee JH, Hyung WJ, Noh SH (2002) Comparison of gastric cancer surgery with versus without nasogastric decompression. Yonsei Med J 43:451–456
Michowitz M, Chen J, Waizbard E, Bawnik JB (1988) Abdominal operation without nasogastric tube decompression of the gastrointestinal tract. Am Surg 54:672–675
Cheatham ML, Chapman WC, Key SP, Sawyers JL (1995) A meta-analysis of selective versus routine nasogastric decompression after elective laparotomy. Ann Surg 221:469–478
Col C, Soran A, Col M (1998) Can postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence be predicted? Tokai J Exp Clin Med 23:123–127
Colvin DB, Lee W, Eisenstat TE, Rubin RJ, Salvati EP (1986) The role of gastrointestinal intubation in elective colonic surgery. Dis Colon Rectum 29:295–299
Adekunle OO, Solanke TF, Itayemi SO, Banigo OG (1979) Tubeless postoperative care of elective cases of duodenal ulcer: a controlled study of 170 cases. Afr J Med Sci 8:85–88
Chung HY, Yu W (2003) Reevaluation of routine gastrointestinal decompression after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Hepatogastroenterology 50:1190–1192
Acknowledgment
The authors acknowledge the contribution of Ms. M. Hassanpour for editing the manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jangjoo, A., Mohammadipoor, F., Fazel, A. et al. The Role of Nasogastric Intubation on Postoperative Gastrointestinal Function in Patients with Obstructive Jaundice. Indian J Surg 74, 376–380 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-011-0391-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-011-0391-6