Gastrointestinal complications
Despite it is suggested that NGT use may result in gastric decompression
and alleviation of postoperative ileus, in their study, Tanguy and
colleagues have shown that NGT use was ineffective and may even promote
ileus [19]. Furthermore, NGT use was associated with irritation to
the patient, which in turn may promote air swallowing and worsening of
gastric distension [22,44]. Although there is a lack of
understanding of whether these effects are selectively seen in long-term
patients, it is generally accepted that NG tubes are not suitable for
ileus resolution in all patients [45]. A meta-analysis found that
for every one patient that requires NGT use to resolve distention, 20
patients can be managed without NGTs, ultimately concluding that routine
NGT decompression is not recommended [46].