About Nasogastric Tube Placement
Key Highlights
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Provides a direct route for nutritional support when oral intake is not possible.Allows for decompression of the stomach to relieve pressure and vomiting.Enables administration of medications directly to the stomach.Can be used for diagnostic purposes, such as sampling gastric contents.Relatively quick, minimally invasive procedure often performed at the bedside.Helps prevent complications like aspiration pneumonia in at-risk patients./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Bowel obstruction or ileus requiring stomach decompression.
- Need for enteral feeding in patients unable to swallow (e.g., stroke, severe illness).
- Gastric lavage in cases of poisoning or overdose.
- Administration of medications when the oral route is unavailable.
- Pre-operative preparation to empty the stomach.
- Management of gastrointestinal bleeding (to monitor or administer treatments).
- To obtain gastric fluid samples for diagnostic testing.
How to prepare
- Explanation of the procedure and obtaining informed consent from the patient or guardian.
- Review of the patient's medical history, especially nasal, esophageal, or stomach surgeries.
- The patient is typically positioned sitting upright or with the head elevated.
- Measuring the tube from the nose to the earlobe and down to the stomach to estimate insertion length.
- Application of a water-soluble lubricant or topical anesthetic to the nostril and tube tip to ease insertion.
- Ensuring necessary equipment (suction, tape, syringe) is ready at the bedside.
Risks & possible complications
- Discomfort, gagging, or vomiting during insertion.
- Minor nosebleed (epistaxis) or nasal irritation.
- Inadvertent placement into the lungs (pulmonary aspiration), which is a serious but rare complication.
- Sinusitis or throat soreness.
- Tube displacement or blockage requiring re-insertion.
- Rare risks include esophageal or stomach perforation, especially in patients with anatomical abnormalities.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate confirmation of correct tube placement via X-ray or other methods is standard.
- The tube is secured to the nose and cheek with tape or a securement device.
- Regular flushing with water is required to prevent clogging if used for feeding or medication.
- Oral and nasal care is important to maintain comfort and prevent infection.
- The tube is removed by a healthcare professional once it is no longer needed, which is a quick process.
- Patients can usually resume normal activities immediately after placement, aside from any underlying condition.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (often outpatient or bedside procedure)
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Expected recovery time: Immediate (procedure-related discomfort subsides in hours)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering nasogastric tube placement in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for nasogastric tube placement in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform nasogastric tube placement. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for nasogastric tube placement compare across other countries where we have data.
| Country | Estimated cost range | Typical stay | Recovery time | View details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | INR 1.5 Thousand – 5 Thousand | 0-1 days (often outpatient or bedside procedure) | ~ Immediate (procedure-related discomfort subsides in hours) | Know More |
| Turkey | TRY 5.25 Thousand – 17.5 Thousand | 0-1 days (often outpatient or bedside procedure) | ~ Immediate (procedure-related discomfort subsides in hours) | Know More |
Top hospitals for Nasogastric Tube Placement in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing nasogastric tube placement.
Reyansh Roy, a 72-year-old retired schoolteacher...
Reyansh Roy, a 72-year-old retired schoolteacher and widower, lives alone. For the past three months, he has experienced progressive difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss of 25 pounds, and profound fatigue. After a diagnostic endoscopy, his gastroenterologist, Dr. Chen, diagnosed him with a malignant esophageal stricture. The tumor was obstructing his ability to eat and drink, leading to dehydration and malnutrition. Dr. Chen recommended a nasogastric (NG) tube placement for enteral feeding to stabilize his nutritional status before he could begin chemotherapy and radiation. Reyansh was terrified of the procedure, fearing it would be painful and a stark symbol of his declining health. During placement, the nurses were incredibly patient, using topical anesthetic gel and guiding him through sipping water to help the tube pass. He described it as a strange, pressure-filled sensation but not the sharp pain he had feared. With the NG tube, he received liquid nutrition that restored his energy and strength. Emotionally, he moved from viewing the tube as a mark of illness to seeing it as a vital tool that gave him the strength to fight his cancer. It allowed him to proceed with his cancer treatments with a renewed sense of hope and agency.
Gastroenterologists for Nasogastric Tube Placement
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform nasogastric tube placement and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai