【Abstract】Objective To discuss the clinical significance of postoperative application of gastrointestinal decompression after anastomosis of lower digestive tract. Methods Three hundred and sixty-eight patients undergoing excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract were divided into two groups: the group with postoperative gastrointestinal decompression and the group without it. The clinical therapeutic outcomes and incidences of complications were compared between the two groups. Results The volume of gastric juice in the decompression group was about 200 ml every day after operation. Both groups had a smaller abdomenal circumference before operation than after operation （P＜0.001）. No difference in the time of first passage of gas from anus and defecation after operation was found between the two groups. The incidence of complications in the decompression group was obviously higher than that of non-decompression group (28.0% vs. 8.2%, P＜0.001); the incidence of pharyngolaryngitis of the former was up to 23.1%. There was also no difference found between these two groups regarding the hospital stay after operation.Conclusion The present study shows that application of gastrointestinal decompression after excision and anastomosis of lower digestive tract cannot effectively reduce the gastrointestinal tract pressure and has no obvious effect on prevention from postoperative complications. On the contrary, it may increase the incidence of pharyngolaryngitis and other complications. Therefore, it is more beneficial for the recovery of patients without gastrointestinal decompression.
ObjectiveTo investigate clinical outcomes of a new self-made nasogastric tube (NGT) fixation device. MethodsFrom January 2012 to May 2013, 76 consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy by a same surgical group in West China Hospital were included in this study. There were 62 male and 14 female patients with their average age of 60.7 years. Clinical outcomes of the NGT fixation device were prospectively evaluated from the operation day to patients' resumption of oral intake (usually 6 days postoperatively), or the time when NGT fell off accidentally or patients asked to exit this study. The main outcomes included whether NGT fell off, and caused or increased patients' discomfort. ResultsThe operation time of the 76 patients was 192±12 minutes. Postoperatively, 1 patient died of refractory pulmonary infection and respiratory failure before further treatment was refused by the patient and relatives. All the patients completed this study. There was no NGT falling off or severe patients' discomfort. Three patients complained obvious but tolerable face compression with mild discomfort. ConclusionsThis new fixation device can effectively prevent NGT from falling off. Further clinical trial is needed to investigate its clinical value.