title: [Evaluation of the gastrointestinal decompression after gastrectomy: a prospective randomized controlled trial].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the value of using nasogastric tube for patients after gastrectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and eight patients undergone gastrectomy were divided randomizely into nasogastric decompression group(n=53) and non-nasogastric decompression group (n=55). Gastrointestinal function and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between nasogastric decompression group and non-nasogastric decompression group, no significant differences in postoperative complications (20.8% vs 23.6%, P=0.719), postoperative time of flatus [(3.2+/-0.9) d vs (3.0+/-0.7) d, P=0.192], recovery time of drinking [(5.9+/-3.4) d vs (5.1+/-1.6) d, P=0.143], eating time of fluid food [(7.8+/-3.6) d vs (6.8+/-1.8) d, P=0.085] and eating time of semi-fluid food [(9.8+/-3.5) d vs (8.8+/-1.9) d, P=0.081] were found. While the recovery time of bowl sound [(1.8+/-0.7) d vs (2.2+/-0.9) d, (P=0.013)] and hospital stay [(10.2+/-2.1) d vs (11.7+/-4.3) d, (P=0.021)] were shorter in non-nasogastric decompression group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is not necessary to use nasogastric decompression for patients after gastrectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jia-wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mei
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xiang
authors.forename: Ming-min
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xue-xin
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Qiu-meng
authors.initials: QM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Xiao-yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Zheng-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003664:Decompression; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome