Is nasogastric tube decompression necessary after major abdominal surgery in children?
Publication/Presentation Date
7-1-1997
Abstract
Nasogastric (NG) decompression has traditionally been used after major abdominal surgery in pediatric patients. This study was designed to determine if NG tubes could be routinely omitted in pediatric patients undergoing major abdominal procedures. Between January 1993 and December 1995, 83 patients had follow-up prospectively without NG decompression after a variety of major abdominal surgeries. NG tubes were inserted for persistent vomiting or abdominal distension. Exclusion criteria included bowel obstruction, intestinal atresia, and perforation of the stomach or duodenum. Ages ranged from 13 days to 22 years. Seventy-four patients (89%) were treated successfully without postoperative NG decompression. There were no cases of pneumonia, wound dehiscence, anastomotic leak, or delay in return of gastrointestinal function. Nine patients required NG tubes for persistent vomiting or abdominal distension. An anastomotic leak developed in one patient after endorectal pull-through. NG decompression is unnecessary after most major abdominal operations in pediatric patients. The endorectal pull-through may represent a group of patients that benefit from routine decompression.
Volume
32
Issue
7
First Page
982
Last Page
984
ISSN
0022-3468
Published In/Presented At
Dinsmore, J. E., Maxson, R. T., Johnson, D. D., Jackson, R. J., Wagner, C. W., & Smith, S. D. (1997). Is nasogastric tube decompression necessary after major abdominal surgery in children?. Journal of pediatric surgery, 32(7), 982–985. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3468(97)90382-1
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics
PubMedID
9247217
Department(s)
Department of Surgery, Department of Pediatrics
Document Type
Article