Bronchopulmonary Complications of Nasogastric tube Placement 

Authors

  • Jens Schreiber Department of Pneumonology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, University Hospital, Germany
  • Thomas Hachenberg Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine Magdeburg, Germany
  • Sebastian Föllner Department of Pneumonology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, University Hospital, Germany
  • Sandra Riedel Department of Pneumonology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, University Hospital, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12974/2312-5470.2014.01.01.3

Keywords:

Nasogastric tubes, complications, esophageal injury, pulmonary haemorrhage.

Abstract

Importance: Nasogastric tube (NGT) placement can cause severe thoracic and non-thoracic complications, which can cause severe morbidity and mortality. The knowledge of predisposing factors is crucial for prevention of these complications. Design: We report on three different cases of severe complication of NGT placement, which have not yet been described. Results: In the first case, intrathoracic malposition of a NGT in a sliding gastric hiatus herniation and repeated insufflations of air for localization control resulted in compression and laceration of the lungs with massive pulmonary hemorrhage. In the second, there was a perforation of both the esophagus and the membranous part of the trachea from the gullet site by a guidewire-containing NGT. In the third case, severe pleuropulmonary complications occurred after short-term intrabronchial malposition. Conclusions: These cases are intended to encourage vigilance to reasons and the clinical course of thoracic complications of NGT placement. Predisposing factors and preventive measures are discussed. 

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Published

2014-02-05

How to Cite

Schreiber, J., Hachenberg, T., Föllner, S., & Riedel, S. (2014). Bronchopulmonary Complications of Nasogastric tube Placement . Global Journal of Respiratory Care, 1(1), 13–16. https://doi.org/10.12974/2312-5470.2014.01.01.3

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