Role of nasogastric tube in children undergoing elective distal bowel surgery.
BACKGROUND
Nasogastric tubes are being routinely used in children and adults undergoing elective abdominal surgery without much scientific evidence supporting their true usefulness. The aim of our study was to assess the role of nasogastric tube in children undergoing elective distal bowel surgery.


METHODS
All pediatric patients undergoing elective distal bowel surgery were enrolled and randomized into two groups: those with nasogastric tube (NG group) or without nasogastric tube (NNG group). Outcome parameters such as resumption of bowel function, enteral feed tolerance, postoperative complications, hospital stay and patient with their parent satisfaction were compared between the groups.


RESULTS
A total of 60 patients were included with equal distribution in the NG and NNG groups. Patient variables were comparable in both the groups. Patients in NNG group progressed to full oral feeds significantly earlier (57 ± 18 vs. 106.07 ± 18.35 h, p < 0.001) and had shorter duration of hospital stay (91.93 ± 26.03 vs. 114.67 ± 18.83 h, p < 0.001) as compared to the NG group. Significant number of patients with nasogastric tube reported sore throat (9 vs. 1 p = 0.03) and nausea (5 vs. 0 p = 0.010). There was no significant difference in return of bowel function (39.43 h ± 15.92 vs. 43.60 h ± 17.77, p = 0.171), hiccups, sleep disturbance, complications and nasogastric tube reinsertion rate between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine use of nasogastric tube after elective distal bowel surgery in children is not necessary.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, 110001, India.
Niyaz Ahmed
NA
Khan
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, 110001, India. roychouin@yahoo.co.in.
Subhasis
S
Roy Choudhury
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, 110001, India.
Partap Singh
PS
Yadav
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, 110001, India.
Raghu
R
Prakash
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, 110001, India.
Jigar N
JN
Patel
D002675:Child, Preschool; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000601:surgery*; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology
Distal bowel surgery; Nasogastric tube; Oral feeds