Digital (Two-finger) versus Video Laryngoscopy for Nasogastric Tube Insertion in Intubated Patients; a Clinical Trial Study.

INTRODUCTION

Performing Nasogastric Tube (NGT) insertion is very challenging in anesthetized and intubated patients. The current study aimed at comparing Digital (two-finger) and Video Laryngoscopy methods for NGT insertion in the mentioned patients.

METHODS

The present single-blind clinical trial was performed on 76 intubated patients, who were randomly divided into two groups. Groups A and B underwent Video Laryngoscopy and Digital (two-finger) methods, respectively. Then, the success rate, the number of attempts to insert NGT, duration of insertion, hemodynamic parameters, and patients' satisfaction level were recorded and compared between groups.

RESULTS

The mean duration of NGT insertion in group A was significantly higher than that of group B (19.07 ± 2.07 vs 11.53 ± 2.16 seconds; P value=0.001). The success rate was higher in group B (94.7% vs. 78.9%; P value=0.042). Considering the interfering factors such as patients' body mass index (BMI), the odds of success in group B was reported to be 8.49 times higher than that of group A (P value =0.028).

CONCLUSION

Digital method can be considered as a safe and appropriate method of NGT insertion for intubated cases with high success rate and speed of performance.