USE OF NASOGASTRIC TUBE DECOMPRESSION IN GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT SURGERY

This prospective study of 315 patients done at Krishna institute of medical science Karad over a period of 18 months and includes both elective and emergency gastrointestinal tract surgery, The aim of the study was to find out whether nasogastric tube decompression in all patients undergoing abdominal operation is of any significant importance post-operatively. The working hypothesis was that most patients undergoing elective or emergency abdominal surgery do not need prophylactic nasogastric tube decompression post-operatively. Routine nasogastric tube (NGT) decompression in patients undergoing abdominal operations has been the main mode of treatment worldwide and continues to be so in developing countries. The procedure is considered unnecessary with significant discomfort in some patients without any added advantage.