An unusual complication of naso-enteral feeding with small-diameter feeding tubes.
The occurrence of nasotracheal intubation with feeding tubes of various types is well known but poorly documented. The small-diameter feeding tubes currently available for enteral hyperalimentation may be more prone to this complication because of their small size and the rigid guide wire which is required for placement. A high index of suspicion when placing these tubes in patients at risk, use of the wire guide to pass the nasopharynx only, and x-ray verification of tube location prior to usage should avert this potentially life-threatening mistake.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000209:etiology; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects