Effect of the nasogastric tube on swallowing in dysphagia patients

Abstract

【Purpose】Nasogastric tubes are commonly used for the management of nutrition．The bleeding or ulcer formation are sometimes experienced in the nose，the pharynx，the esophagus and the stomach．Incorrect tube insertion into the trachea，and gastroesophageal reflux are also generally known as complication in association with the nasogastric tube，but there is no rational evidence that the nasogastric tube might affect swallowing behavior．We evaluated effects of a nasogastric tube on swallowing attitude in patients with swallowing disorders by records of videofluoroscopy．

【Subjects and methods】The subjects were 63 patients with swallowing disorders who were underwent videofluoroscopy both with a nasogastric tube inplace and after its removal at our hospital after 1993．We evaluated the change in findings after a tube was removed and the association between the improvement after tube removal and the size or the way in pharynx of inserted tubes．

【Results and discussion】After removal of the nasogastric tube，the improvement in inversion of the epiglottis was observed in 28 patients，the decrease in residue in the pharynx in 14，the improvement in passage through the pharynx in 5，the improvement in aspiration and penetration in 9，and the acquisition of swallowing in 5．Statistically significant changes after removal of the nasogastric tube tended to be observed when the tube size was large and the tube was inserted into the esophageal entrance on the opposite side of the nasal cavity after crossing in the pharynx．

【Conclusion】This study confirmed the influences of the nasogastric tube on swallowing in patients with swallowing disorder．