A comparative study evaluating the role of nasogastric tube following ileostomy reversal surgery
P. S. Khatana, Jitendra Kumar, Rajeev Ranjan Kumar, Siddharth Khemka, Shardool Vikram Gupta- General Medicine
Abstract
Background:
Nasogastric tube (NT) is commonly used following abdominal surgeries with a belief that it will decompress the bowel and prevent complications such as abdominal distension and post-operative nausea and vomiting. However, many studies have now reported that the use of a NT after abdominal surgery is not only unnecessary but also can be harmful to the patient.
Methods:
This was a prospective and interventional randomised comparative study where patients undergoing elective ileostomy reversal (n = 120) were randomly divided into two groups: patients with (Group A), and without (Group B) the placement of the NT in the post-operative period (
Results:
Mean time (post-operative days) for appearance of first bowel sounds (
Conclusions:
Use of a NT during the post-operative period after ileostomy reversal surgery does not provide any additional benefit and may be harmful in terms of early patient recovery.