Digital (Two-finger) versus Video Laryngoscopy for Na-sogastric Tube Insertion in Intubated Patients; a ClinicalTrial Study

Performing Nasogastric Tube (NGT) insertion is very challenging in anesthetized and intubatedpatients. The current study aimed at comparing Digital (two-finger) and Video Laryngoscopy methods for NGTinsertion in the mentioned patients.

The present single-blind clinical trial was performed on 76 in-tubated patients, who were randomly divided into two groups. Groups A and B underwent Video Laryngoscopyand Digital (two-finger) methods, respectively. Then, the success rate, the number of attempts to insert NGT,duration of insertion, hemodynamic parameters, and patients’ satisfaction level were recorded and comparedbetween groups.

The mean duration of NGT insertion in group A was significantly higher than that ofgroup B (19.07 ± 2.07 vs 11.53 ± 2.16 seconds; P value=0.001). The success rate was higher in group B (94.7%vs. 78.9%; P value=0.042). Considering the interfering factors such as patients’ body mass index (BMI), the oddsof success in group B was reported to be 8.49 times higher than that of group A (P value =0.028).

Digital method can be considered as a safe and appropriate method of NGT insertion for intubated cases withhigh success rate and speed of performance.