Indications for Nasogastric Tube Insertion
- To decompress the stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract (ie, to relieve distention due to obstruction, ileus, or atony)
- To empty the stomach, for example, in patients who are intubated to prevent aspiration or in patients with GI bleeding to remove blood and clots.
What are the indications for insertion of a nasogastric tube?
Diagnostic indications for NG intubation include the following:
- Evaluation of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (ie, presence, volume)
- Aspiration of gastric fluid content.
- Identification of the esophagus and stomach on a chest radiograph.
- Administration of radiographic contrast to the GI tract.
What conditions require an NG tube?
Conditions for Which We Use a Feeding Tube
- Crohn's disease (in severe cases)
- Gastrointestinal cancer.
- Gastrointestinal complications due to trauma.
- Intestinal failure.
- Bowel obstruction.
- Microscopic colitis.
- Narrowing in your esophagus or digestive tract (stricture)
- Short bowel syndrome.
