title: Duodenal obstruction due to a swallowed nasogastric tube.
abstract: Nasogastric tubes are commonly used, not only in surgical practice but in all disciplines. Their use, however, is not without complications. We present the first reported case of duodenal obstruction due to a swallowed nasogastric tube, and recommend that nasogastric tubes be used in their entirety (uncut) with the splayed distal end intact. This simple procedure will prevent a rare but distressing complication that might be amenable only to laparotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of the West Indies General Hospital, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naraynsingh
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maharaj
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rampaul
mesh_terms: D004380:Duodenal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography