Incorrect positioning of nasogastric feeding tubes and the development of pneumothorax.
The authors describe 12 patients in whom feeding tubes were inadvertently placed in the bronchial tree a total of 14 times. All but four of the misplacements were complicated by pneumothorax. No deaths were directly attributable to the misplacements, although one cardiac arrest occurred as a late complication of intrapleural feeding. Careful, controlled insertion of feeding tubes and radiographic confirmation of their placement are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
Dobranowski
J
J
Department of Radiology, St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton, Ont.
Fitzgerald
J M
JM
Baxter
F
F
Woods
D
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001980:Bronchi; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000150:complications; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014139:Tracheostomy