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].