Comparison between Gastric Babble Sound and Chest X-Ray for Positioning in Nasogastric Tube Insertion on General Anesthesia for Oral and Maxillofacial Patients

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare gastric babble sound with chest X-ray for positioning in nasogastric tube insertion on general anesthesia for oral and maxillofacial patients. Methods: Fifty-six oral and maxillofacial patients with nasogastric tube on general anesthesia were included in this study. Length of nasogastric tube using gastric babble sound for positioning in nasogastric tube insertion on general anesthesia were compared with those using chest X-ray after general anesthesia. Furthermore, we evaluated the relationship between height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and length of nasogastric tube using Pearson’s correlation test. A P value lower than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: The incidences of adjustment after chest X-ray were 39.3 % (22/56 cases). Regarding cases of the adjustment after chest X-ray, over tube length cases was 90.9 % (20/22 cases, over length: 5.3 ± 1.8 cm) and under tube length cases was 9.1 % (2/22 cases, under length: -10 ± 0.0 cm). Furthermore, Height correlated with length of nasogastric tube using gastric babble sound for positioning in nasogastric tube insertion on general anesthesia (R = 0.505; p = 0.000) and length after adjustment using chest X-ray (R = 0.494; p = 0.000). Conclusions: The chest X-ray seems to be useful for positioning in nasogastric tube insertion on general anesthesia for oral and maxillofacial patients.