A critical point of nasogastric feeding tube placement, potentially resulting in an unsafe and/or non-effective operation of the device, is the monitoring of its proper placement into the stomach. A properly obtained and interpreted radiograph is currently recommended to confirm placement. We reported the case of a 68-year-old demented woman referred for complicated dysphagia. A nasogastric tub...

The process of administering nutritious sustenance through a tube into the gut while avoiding the mouth and swallowing mechanisms is a nice example of collaboration or conflict between health care professionals arising from their medical, ethical and legal concerns. Two recent articles in the Journal' have drawn attention to these concerns and it is timely to analyse them further. When ethical ...

nasojejunal feeding tubes are being used at an increased frequency, but it is not without complications that could be life-threatening. we report two cases of pneumothorax following small-bore feeding tube insertion into the pleural cavity, resulting in pneumothorax. we further discuss the potential measures that can be taken to prevent and treat this serious complication.

BACKGROUND Evidence concerning how Japanese physicians think and behave in specific clinical situations that involve withholding or withdrawal of medical interventions for end-of-life or frail elderly patients is yet insufficient. METHODS To analyze decisions and actions concerning the withholding/withdrawal of life-support care by Japanese physicians, we conducted cross-sectional web-based i...

Nutritional supplements to the critically ill patients are one of the major issues to be discussed. Enteric feeding is advantageous over parentral feeding because it maintains gut integrity and prevents bacterial translocation. Small intestinal feeding shows significant beneficial results. Nasoduodenal tube placement and its confirmation by serial pH monitoring and by radiological examination w...

BACKGROUND Given that, in most clinical circumstances, enteral nutrition (nasal gastric tube feeding) may not necessarily be superior to parenteral nutrition (IV feeding), consideration of patient preference should be included in decisions on the method of feeding. OBJECTIVES To evaluate patient preference for nasal gastric versus IV feeding. METHODS We administered a written questionnaire ...

Aspiration pneumonia is common in older people. To reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia, maintenance of good oral hygiene is important and medications affecting salivary flow or causing sedation are best avoided, if possible. The use of H2 blockers and proton-pump inhibitors should be minimised. Different compensatory and facilitation techniques can be applied during oral feeding. Hand feedi...