Nasogastric Tube Syndrome: Why Is It Important in the Intensive Care Unit?

Although the nasogastric tube (NGT) is widely used in critically ill patients, most intensivists do not give much thought to it or its possible complications. NGT syndrome is a rare but fatal complication characterized by throat pain and vocal cord paralysis in the presence of NGT. Recently, we expe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Taehyun Kim, Seong Min Kim, Sung Birm Sohn, Yeon Ho Lee, Sang Youn Lim, Jae Kyeom Sim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine 2015-08-01
Series:Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine
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Online Access:http://kjccm.org/upload/pdf/kjccm-2015-30-3-231.pdf
Description
Summary:Although the nasogastric tube (NGT) is widely used in critically ill patients, most intensivists do not give much thought to it or its possible complications. NGT syndrome is a rare but fatal complication characterized by throat pain and vocal cord paralysis in the presence of NGT. Recently, we experienced a case of NGT syndrome developed in an 86-year-old female twelve days after NGT insertion. We immediately removed the NGT and secured the airway by tracheostomy. She was treated successfully with an intravenous antibiotic, steroid and proton pump inhibitor and the syndrome did not recur after reinsertion of the NGT.
ISSN:2383-4870
2383-4889