Mechanical complications of nasoenteric tubes

Abstract

Nasoenteric tubes are associated with a wide variety of complications. These complications can be broadly divided into two groups:those occurring at the time of insertion and those occurring in a delayed fashion, often after a prolonged indwelling time. Many of the complications, including gastrointestinal perforation, intrapleural or intracranial placement, and gastrointestinal ulceration, have potentially disastrous consequences, but with proper caution can be prevented or discovered early. Awareness of the potential complications of placement and long-term tube maintenance is necessary for appropriate precautions to be consistently taken by providers using these seemingly innocuous devices. Should complications occur, early recognition and prompt therapeutic interventions are key to avoiding further sequelae and poor patient outcomes.