There is no need for nasogastric decompression after partial gastrectomy with extensive lymphadenectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To find out if routine nasogastric tube decompression is necessary after radical gastrectomy with systematic extensive lymphadenectomy in patients with gastric cancer.


METHODS
Prospective randomised trial.


METHODS
Surgical Department, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.


METHODS
74 patients with gastric cancer including 11 with gastric outlet obstruction who underwent radical distal gastrectomy.


METHODS
After operation, 37 patients were randomised to receive nasogastric intubation and 37 not to have it.


METHODS
Morbidity, mortality, and speed of recovery.


RESULTS
No patient died after operation. The groups were comparable for the day of starting oral diet, rate of reinsertion of nasogastric tube and morbidity. Patients who were not intubated mobilised more quickly, and spent less time in hospital. Only one of seven patients with gastric outlet obstruction who had not been intubated needed to be so.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine postoperative nasogastric decompression is unnecessary after radical gastrectomy even in the presence of gastric outlet obstruction.
Wu
C C
CC
Department of Surgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan.
Hwang
C R
CR
Liu
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D017219:Gastric Outlet Obstruction / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*