Nasoenteric tube doppler guided insertion. A case report and review of literature

Abstract

Nasoenteric tube placement is needed in patients with gastric enteral feeding intolerance or high risk of aspiration. Several techniques are described. Ultrasound is used more commonly for gastric tube placement, but also is described in enteral tube feeding placement. Doppler technique with cold water injection is not described in the literature. We describe a new and easy to realize technique. A case of a 65 years old male patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) with gastroparesis is described. Before beginning a prokinetic drug was administered. In this technique gastric tube placement was bedside assessed with ultrasound, and then the tube was progressed with cold water injection. Duodenal position was confirmed with doppler ultrasound. Ultrasound and doppler technique for nasoenteric tube placement could be a feasible technique to use in the ICU. More studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of the technique.