title: Randomized Controlled Trial for Evaluation of the Routine Use of Nasogastric Tube Decompression After Elective Liver Surgery.
abstract: The value of routine nasogastric tube (NGT) decompression after elective hepatetctomy is not yet established. Previous studies in the setting of non-liver abdominal surgery suggested that the use of NGT decreased the incidence of nausea or vomiting, while increasing the frequency of pulmonary complications.
  
  
  
  Out of a total of 284 consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy, 210 patients were included in this study. The patients were randomized to a group that received NGT decompression (NGT group; n = 108), in which a NGT was left in place after surgery until the patient passed flatus or stool, or a group that did not receive NGT decompression (no-NGT group; n = 102), in which the NGT was removed at the end of surgery.
  
  
  
  There were no differences between the NGT group and no-NGT group in terms of the overall morbidity (34.3 vs 35.3 %; P = 0.99), incidence of pulmonary complications (18.5 vs 19.5 %; P = 0.84), frequency of postoperative vomiting (6.5 vs 7.8 %; P = 0.70), time to start of oral intake (median (range) 3 (2-6) vs 3 (2-6) days; P = 0.69), or postoperative duration of hospital stay (19 (7-74) vs 18 (9-186) days; P = 0.37). In the no-NGT group, three patients required reinsertion of the tube 0 (0-3) days after surgery. In the NGT group, severe discomfort was recorded in five patients.
  
  
  
  Routine NGT decompression after elective hepatectomy does not appear to have any advantages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ichida
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan. himamura-tky@umin.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Imamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugo
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ishizaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary-Pancreatic Surgery, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011184:Postoperative Period
keywords: Liver resection; Nasogastric tube decompression; Vomitiing