Auscultation-assisted bedside postpyloric placement of feeding tube in critically ill patients: a prospective, observational study.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of auscultation-assisted bedside postpyloric feeding tube (ABPFT) placement in early enteral nutritional support for critically ill patients.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted and 92 critically ill patients who met the inclusion criteria undergoing ABPFT placement after the intravenous injection of 10 mg of metoclopramide were included. Abdominal X-ray was performed to confirm the location of the catheter tip. End points investigated were the success rate of tube placement, rate of jejunal tube placement, duration of the procedure, length of insertion, and number of attempts. Operational-related adverse events or complications were also documented and evaluated.

Results: The total success rate of postpyloric feeding tube implantation was 97.8% (90/92), among which, 89.1% (82/92) of the tubes were placed proximal to the jejunum. The first-attempt success rate was 91.3% (84/92) and the mean attempt per individual patient was 1.11±0.38 times. The mean operation time was 28.6±17.7 minutes, and the mean insertion length of tube was 106±9.6 cm. A total of 27 adverse events occurred in 19.6% (18/92) patients and there was no serious adverse events or complications during the study period.

Conclusions: Assistance by auscultation can significantly improve the success rate of nasal feeding tube placement. This simple, safe and fast approach is feasible for the application among health practitioners in the intensive care unit.