NGT placement

Q: While placing nasogastric tube (NGT) in a patient, it may help to tilt the head? (select one)

A) towards the chest
B) away from the chest


Answer: A

Studies have shown that the neck flexion results in a higher success rate of successful passage of NGT than with the neutral position. The most common sites for impaction/obstruction of the NGT are pyriform sinuses and the arytenoid cartilage. Flexion of the neck helps to keep the NGT in close proximity to the posterior pharyngeal wall and facilitates the smooth passage into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.


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References:

1. Rajesh Mahajan, Rahul Gupta, Anju Sharma; Role of Neck Flexion in Facilitating Nasogastric Tube Insertion. Anesthesiology 2005;103(2):446-447. doi: https://doi.org/.

2. Ozer S, Benumof J: Oro and nasogastric tube passage in intubated patients: Fiber optic description of where they go at the laryngeal level and how to make them enter the esophagus. Anesthesiology 1999; 91:137–43

3. Ozer, S Benumof, J Bong LC, Macachar JD, Hwang NC: Insertion of the nasogastric tube made easy (letter). Anesthesiology 2004; 101:266