Bronchoscope-assisted nasogastric tube insertion using ureteric stent wire as a guide.

Abstract

Insertion of nasogastric tube (NGT) can be very difficult in patients with minimal or no mouth opening under anesthesia. We describe a novel technique for NGT insertion using a flexible Fiber-Optic Bronchoscope (FOB) and a ureteric stent wire.

We encountered a patient with minimal mouth opening, who had to undergo a maxillofacial surgery which would result in temporary inability to eat because of free flap surgery. A blind attempt at NGT insertion failed. We used FOB to insert a ureteric stent wire under direct vision and then threaded NGT over it into the stomach.

So far, we have inserted 10 NGTs uneventfully using bronchoscope and a ureteric stent wire as a guide. It is safe, cheap and a quick way of inserting NGT in patients with difficult anatomy, intubated patients, those at a high risk for bleeding, base of skull fracture and previous ear nose and throat or neurosurgery.

Keywords: Endotracheal tube; Fiber-optic bronchoscope; Laryngoscope; Nasogastric tube; Ureteric stent wire

Citation: Chaudhry S, Danha R. Bronchoscope-assisted nasogastric tube insertion using ureteric stent wire as a guide. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2023;27(2):269−271; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v27i2.2176

Received: October 10, 2022; Reviewed: February 23, 2023; Accepted: February 25, 2023