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Evidence summaries

Prophylactic Nasogastric Decompression after Abdominal Surgery

Nasogastric decompression used routinely after abdominal surgery does not speed recovery. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 37 studies with a total of 5 711 subjects. Patients not having routine tube use had an earlier return of bowel function (p<0.00001), a decrease in pulmonary complications (p=0.09) and an insignificant trend toward increase in risk of wound infection (p=0.39) and ventral hernia (p=0.09). Anastomotic leak was no different between groups (p=0.70). Vomiting seemed to favour routine tube use, but with increased patient discomfort. Length of stay was shorter when no tube was used but there was statistical heterogeneity in this analysis. No adverse events specifically related to tube insertion (direct tube trauma) were reported.

    References

    • Nelson R, Edwards S, Tse B. Prophylactic nasogastric decompression after abdominal surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007 Jul 18;(3):CD004929 [Review content assessed as up-to-date: 7 February 2010]. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords