Confirmation of Nasogastric Tube Placement

Gastric tubes are commonly used for giving drugs and nutrition directly into the gastrointestinal tract (the tube that digests food) for people who are unable to swallow. Feeding via a tube that is misplaced in the trachea (windpipe) can result in severe pneumonia (infection of the lungs). They are also used to reduce the pressure of the stomach after providing breathing assistance through masks, which is mainly used in resuscitation.

Usually, nurses are responsible for ensuring that tubes are placed correctly before using them for emptying, enteral nutrition, or medication administration.

Although Nasogastric Tube (NG) tube application is generally considered safe, it can result in complications such as pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhage, empyema, hemothorax, mediastinitis, bronchopleural fistula, perforation.

Which Ultrasound Scanner is the best for Confirmation of Nasogastric Tube Placement? 

Using a high-frequency transducer is suitable for confirmation of nasogastric tube placement. This is why the Convex and Linear Color Doppler Wi-Fi Double Head Ultrasound Scanner CLCD is highly recommended to our Emergency medicine specialist clients. In which, the 7.5 MHz linear probe is used for neck visualization at the level of the cricoid membrane. And the 3.5 MHz convex probe is used to visualize subxiphoid and  gastroesophageal region.

The use of Ultrasound at the neck can confirm Nasogastric Tube (NGT) placement in the esophagus and its use at the epigastrium can confirm a stomach positioning. The esophagus can only be viewed via the ultrasound if it is in the laterotracheal position.

Ultrasound provides good diagnostic accuracy in the confirmation of appropriate tube placement. Hence, It could provide a promising alternative to X-rays in confirming tube placement, especially where X-ray facilities are unavailable or difficult to access.

To sum up, verifying NGT placement with ultrasonography has the potential to reduce complications, save time, and reduce unnecessary radiation exposure.

References: Verifying the placement of Nasogastric Tube, Ultrasound Scanner for Confirmation of NGT Placement,