Tying a Slipknot to an Intubation Stylet for Facilitating Insertion of a Nasogastric Tube in Liver Transplant Recipients: a Prospective, Randomized Study.
Tsai YF, Liu FC, et al.Transplantation Proceedings, 44(2): 438-44, 2012.
Aims
To investigate whether the Rusch intubation stylet-guided method would facilitate the insertion of a nasogastric tube in anesthetized and intubated liver transplant recipients.
Interventions
The nasogastric tube inserted with the assistance of a Rusch intubation stylet tied together at the tips versus the nasogastric tube inserted with the patient’s head in neutral position.
Participants
80 liver transplant recipients.
Outcomes
Success rates of insertion of a nasogastric tube, duration of insertions, and occurrences of complications. Complications included bleeding, kinking, knotting, or tracheal insertion.
Follow-up
Not applicable
CET Conclusions
The authors show that insertion of a nasogastric tube in liver transplant patients during the procedure can be facilitated using a Rusch intubation stylet tied with a slipknot (Highwayman’s hitch) which is tied to the end of the nasogastric tube and following its introduction the slipknot is easily released allowing the stylet to be removed. The success rate was much higher using this technique than inserting the soft nasogastric tube as normally attempted.
Data analysis
Per protocol analysis
Trial registration
Not reported