An improved biologically transparent illumination system that increases the accuracy of detecting the correct position of a nasogastric tube in the stomach

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether an improved biologically transparent illumination system results in more reliable detection of the correct position of the nasogastric tube in surgical patients. In total, 102 patients undergoing general surgery were included in this prospective observational study. After general anesthesia, all patients were inserted a nasogastric tube equipped with an improved biologically transparent illumination catheter. Identification of biologically transparent light in the epigastric area indicated successful insertion of the nasogastric tube into the stomach. The position of the tube was confirmed by X-ray examination, and its findings were compared with those of the biologically transparent illumination system. We observed biologically transparent light in epigastric area in 87 of the 102 patients. X-ray examination revealed that the nasogastric tube was placed in the stomach in all of these 87 patients. Light was not observed in the remaining 15 patients; the tube position was confirmed in the stomach in 11 of these patients but not in the other 4 by X-ray examination. Illumination had a sensitivity of 88.8% and a specificity of 100%. Our results suggest that this improved biologically transparent illumination system increased the accuracy of detecting the correct position of a nasogastric tube in the stomach. X-ray examination is required to check the position of the nasogastric tube in patients when biologically transparent illumination light is negative.