| Abstrakt: |
Summary Up to now, strategies for the verification of the correct localization of gastric tubes have not been internationally standardized. In Germany, most units rely on the auscultation method, whereas in the United States a radiological control after tube placement is considered mandatory. In this pilot study, the feasibility of a simple sonographic method for the correct localization of a gastric tube in intensive care units is evaluated. In 60 gastric tube insertions (with 50 patients being on artificial ventilation) performed on a medical intensive care unit, the correct placement of the tube was controlled by 1) auscultation, 2) pH measurement of the aspirate, and 3) sonography. In sonography, correct placement of the tip of the tube in the stomach was ascertained by detecting a 50 ml air jet applied with a syringe via the gastric tube. Results of ultrasound and the other control methods were compared to radiological control of the tube. In 43 patients (72%), the correct placement of the gastric tube was documented by ultrasound, compared to only 23% of patients in which a pH value of less than 4 allowed the proof of correct localization. In 2/20 patients without a detectable air jet on sonography, the gastric tube was located in the esophagus. We conclude that ?bedside? sonography is a fast and easy to perform method for the ascertainment of the correct positioning of a gastric tube and may in most cases be able to replace radiology for this indication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
Full text from SpringerLink