[Use of nasogastric tubes and drains after colorectal surgery. Have attitudes changed in the last 10 years?].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate attitudes and opinions of Spanish surgeons on the use of nasogastric tubes (NGT) and drainages after colorectal surgery.


METHODS
E-mail survey to the members of the Spanish Association of Coloproctology, and Coloproctology Division of the Spanish Surgical Association comparing the results with a previous survey from 1996.


RESULTS
Of the 413 surveys sent out, 131 (31.7%) were returned, this compared with 190 from 1996. NGT is routinely used by 22%, selectively by 35% and never by 43%, vs 62%, 31% and 7% in 1996 (p < 0.001). Experience and accreditation in colorectal surgery was associated with its lower use. NGT is removed by 16% 24 hours after surgery, 9% later and 51% when peristalsis begins vs. 6%, 21% and 66% in 1996 (p < 0.001). Of the total, 76% believe that the ileus is not reduced by NGT and 89% that it does not increase comfort vs 27% and 48% (p < 0.001). Drainages are routinely used by 38.5% and selectively by a 57.7%, more than in 1996 (25% and 63%) (p < 0.05). Board-Certification in colorectal surgery was associated with a lower use of drains (p < 0.0001). Drains are not used by 46% in right colon surgery; 22% in left colon and 3.1% in rectal surgery. A total of 66% believe that its used reduce fluid collections and 43% that they drain anastomosis leaks without any differences from previous survey. Drains are considered very useful by 16% in colon surgery and by 52% in rectal surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a tendency to decrease the use of NGT. However, drainages continue to be widely employed.
Roig
José V
JV
Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva. Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia. Valencia. España. jvroigvila@aecirujanos.es
García-Fadrique
Alfonso
A
García Armengol
Juan
J
Villalba
Francisco L
FL
Bruna
Marcos
M
Sancho
Cristina
C
Puche
José
J
D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003107:Colorectal Surgery; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004322:Drainage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013502:General Surgery; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires