title: Tension Pneumothorax and Subcutaneous Emphysema Complicating Insertion of Nasogastric Tube.
abstract: Nasogastric tube has a key role in the management of substantial number of hospitalized patients particularly the critically ill. In spite of the apparent simple insertion technique, nasogastric tube placement has its serious perhaps fatal complications which need to be carefully assessed. Pulmonary misplacement and associated complications are commonplace during nasogastric tube procedure. We present a case of tension pneumothorax and massive surgical emphysema in critically ill ventilated patient due to inadvertent nasogastric tube insertion and also discussed the risk factors, complication list, and arrays of techniques for safer tube placement.
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, P.O. Box 15215, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Narjis
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al Saif
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, P.O. Box 15215, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hammodi
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, P.O. Box 15215, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al-Azem
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Department, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, P.O. Box 15215, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Rasheed
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Al-Hubail