Insert a tube into the stomach? What exactly does the nasogastric tube, which sounds frightening, do

Source: Sichuan Cancer Hospital

"You see, that young man hasn't eaten for 3 days, he's walking and dancing, and he's still in good spirits with the uncle in the same room, so big a difference?"

"Uncle is different from us, Uncle is eating with a pipe." It is said that people are iron, rice is just, a meal is not hungry panic! ”

"Oh hey people, I heard that An Guan Zi is very annoyed."

"That is, yes, listen to them say hey people are very much!"

What is a gastric tube

The gastric tube is generally polyurethane or silicone material, according to the material, polyurethane, silicone gastric tube should be changed once a month. There are different sizes of thickness, length and length, and the nurse will choose the appropriate nasogastric tube according to your situation.

Which groups of people are suitable for nasogastric tubes

In patients with head and neck radiotherapy, the side reactions that occur in the later stages (such as oropharyngeal pain, difficulty swallowing, eating and coughing, etc.) lead to inability to eat through the mouth, or eat less, the patient develops malnutrition, and even affects the smooth progress of treatment. In order to maintain the body's nutrition, it is often necessary to place nasogastric tubes to establish our "life channel" for patients.

Stomach tube purpose

The purpose of placing nasogastric tubes is to maintain nutrition in patients with tumors. But many patients worry that nutrient abundance will promote the growth of cancer cells, but it is not necessary. Nutritional support not only does not promote tumor development, but can enhance the patient's immunity, improve the tolerance of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and facilitate the recovery of the mucosa of the oropharynx, thereby improving the therapeutic efficacy and allowing patients to live better and longer [1].

Placement method

The nasogastric tube is inserted through the nostrils, through the pharynx, through the esophagus to the stomach, and is used to inject liquid into the stomach to provide the necessary food and nutrition to the patient.

How to alleviate discomfort

1. Before inserting the gastric tube, the nurse will fully communicate with you, please relax the body, cooperate with the swallowing action, because the gastric tube is irritated to the pharynx, you may feel nausea, or even vomiting, then open your mouth to breathe, the body relaxes, and the discomfort symptoms will disappear after the successful intubation [2].

2. Improve the discomfort of intubation by diverting attention, such as listening to music or talking to other people more, etc., try to relax and adjust your mindset.

3. If you feel that the stomach tube is causing discomfort in the position of the throat, it can be relieved by taking a deep breath or swallowing action, or informing the nurse to adjust the position of the gastric tube appropriately.

At the same time, the nurse will take a variety of ways such as paraffin oil, lidocaine cream to alleviate the discomfort of the catheter for you, while improving the success rate of the catheter, just need you to try your best to cooperate! [3] [4] [5]

How to care for nasogastric tubes

1. Properly fix the gastric tube, do not twist or pull it out at will.

2. Take a semi-sitting recumbent position when the tube is fed to prevent reflux aspiration.

3. Patients with head and neck tumor radiotherapy due to heavy oropharyngeal reaction, after being placed in the gastric tube, do not eat orally into water, avoid oral infection, and pay attention to maintain oral hygiene.

4. Before feeding the diet each time, confirm that the gastric tube is in the stomach, you can withdraw the gastric juice, and inject a small amount of warm boiled water to confirm that the gastric tube is unobstructed.

5. The amount of each tube feeding does not exceed 200ml, the interval time is not less than 2 hours, and the temperature is about 38 to 40 degrees. Tube feeding 6 to 7 times a day to ensure nutrition for the patient. The number and amount of food can be adjusted according to the patient's appetite.

6. After the tube feeding, a small amount of warm boiled water should be injected to rinse the gastric tube to avoid the deterioration of residual food in the gastric tube cavity, resulting in diarrhea or blockage of the gastric tube.

7. Pay attention to dietary hygiene, perfuse liquid food without residue, and use nutrient solution perfusion.

8. If you have any discomfort, please communicate with the medical staff in time.

When to remove the gastric tube

The gastric tube is generally removed after the intestinal function is restored and the oropharyngeal reaction is healed.

bibliography: Tumor Radiotherapy Nutrition Group, Tumor Nutrition and Support Professional Committee of Chinese Anti-Cancer Association. Expert consensus on nutrition and supportive therapy in radiotherapy for head and neck tumors[J]. Chinese Journal of Radiation Oncology,2018,27.] CHEN Jing. Nursing experience of indwelling gastric tube[J]. Family Health Care, 2018, 000(020):132-133. Xia Qiuyan. Clinical effectiveness of gastric tube method of swallowing paraffin oil[J]. Modern Chinese Doctors, 2020, 58(16): 176-178. YUE Pingping. Effect of compound lidocaine cream in transnasal gastric tube indwelling[J]. Journal of Contemporary Medicine, 2020,18(12). Rong Jia, Tang Jinli, Wang Wei, et al. Clinical analysis of two methods of indwelling gastric tube[J]. International Journal of Nursing, 2018, 37(19):2726-2730.