EFFECT OF NASOGASTRIC TUBES ON THE MAXILLARY SINUS IN PATIENTS UNDERGONE ABDOMINAL SURGERY

Abstract

The effects of nasogastric tube (NGT) on the maxillary sinusitis in patients undergone abdominal surgery was investigated. NGT is routinely used by many surgeons to decompress the stomach for preventing acute gastric dilatation, treating ileus, monitoring upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage, acting as a guide to start oral feeding, and reducing tension on suture lines in order to reduce the risk of anastomotic dehiscence, after both elective and emergency abdominal surgery. A prospective cohort study was performed in 73 patients who undergone abdominal operation. Patients were divided two groups. Group 1 included the patients (n=35) in whom NGT was retained for > 48 hrs, while in group 2 there were patients (n=38) in whom NGT was retained for > 48hrs. Clinical and radiological examinations of patients were evaluated in preoperotive and postoperative periods. NGT periods (hrs) in group 1 and group 2 were 18.8 ± 13.5 hours and 124.6 ± 38.7 hours, respectively. There was no difference between two groups about age, sex and way of operation whether urgent or elective, statistically (p>0.05). It was determined both clinically and radiologically that the rate of maxillary sinusitis in group 2 was significantly higher than group l, statistically (p<0.0001). Relative risk was 4.8 and confidence interval was 1.9-12.2. In our study, we determined both clinically and radiologically that, the risk of maxillary sinusitis was seen 4.8 times frequently, in the patients who had NGT been applied more than 48 hour. The major factor for developing sinusitis is the presence of nasal tubes which are responsible for mechanical obstruction of the sinus ostia. For this reason, NGT should be applied as short as possible, the nares and oropharyngeal region should be irrigated with various antiseptic solutions to avoid bacteriel colonization.