Biologically transparent illumination is a safe, fast, and simple technique for detecting the correct position of the nasogastric tube in surgical patients under general anesthesia
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using biologically transparent illumination to detect the correct position of the nasogastric tube in surgical patients. This prospective observational study enrolled 102 patients undergoing general surgeries. In all cases, a nasogastric tube equipped with a biologically transparent illumination catheter was inserted after general anesthesia.
The identification of biologically transparent light in the epigastric area either with or without finger pressure indicated that the tube had been successfully inserted into the stomach. X-ray examination was performed to ascertain the tube position and was compared with the findings of the biologically transparent illumination technique. Biologically transparent light was detected in 72 of the 102 patients. In all of these 72 patients, the position of the nasogastric tube in the stomach was confirmed by X-ray examination.
The light was not detected in the other 30 patients; X-ray examination showed that the nasogastric tube was positioned in the stomach in 21 of these 30 patients but not in the other 9. The sensitivity and specificity of the illumination were 77.4% and 100%, respectively.
The results suggest that biologically transparent illumination is a useful and safe technique for detecting the correct position of the nasogastric tube in surgical patients under general anesthesia. When the BT light cannot be identified, X-ray examination is mandatory to confirm the position of the nasogastric tube.
Foreign Body in the Eustachian Tube: A Challenging Diagnosis and Management
Foreign bodies in the external ear are very common. The same cannot be said about foreign bodies in the Eustachian tube (ET). We report the case of a 63-year-old woman with a history of painless left side otorrhea and hearing loss.
She reported a left ear surgery when she was 30-year-old but she did not know the diagnosis that was made at that time neither the kind of surgery performed. Otoscopic examination revealed an inferior perforation of the eardrum. Audiologic evaluation demonstrated a unilateral, moderate-severe mixed hearing loss.
Computed tomography scan showed, in left ear, a soft tissue density filling the middle ear cavity and a foreign body in ET.
The patient underwent middle ear exploration which required endoscopic assistance to visualize and remove the foreign body. It appeared to be a stapes prothesis of Robinson type. The displacement of a stapes prosthesis to the ET has not been reported in the literature. Surgeries in this region are challenging. This case highlights the importance of the integration of endoscopy into otologic surgery.
The evaluation of the gastric tube blood flow by indocyanine green fluorescence angiography during esophagectomy: a multicenter prospective study
Objective: We determined the anastomotic site during gastric tube reconstruction in esophagectomy according to the “90-to 60-s rule” using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography. We evaluated its safety and efficacy in a prospective multicenter setting.
Methods: We enrolled 129 patients who underwent subtotal esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. ICG fluorescence angiography was performed after making a wide gastric tube, and the time from the initial enhancement of the right gastroepiploic artery to the tip of the gastric tube was used as a parameter.
Esophagus-gastro anastomosis was made at the area that was enhanced within 90 s (preferably within 60 s). The enhancement time and the incidence of anastomotic leakage were compared.
Results: In all cases, anastomosis was made at the site enhanced within 90 s. Anastomotic leakage was found in only 4 (3.1%) of 129 cases; specifically, it was detected in 3 (2.4%) of 126 cases whose anastomotic site was enhanced within 60 s and in 1 (33.3%) of 3 cases where the enhancement time exceeded 60 s (p = 0.09).
Conclusions: Determining the anastomotic site using the 90-to 60-s rule with ICG imaging in gastric tube reconstruction helps reduce the rate of anastomotic leakage.
Changes in the Bronchial Cuff Pressure of Left-Sided Double-Lumen Endotracheal Tube by Lateral Positioning: A Prospective Observational Study
Proper bronchial cuff pressure (BCP) is important when using a double-lumen endotracheal tube (DLT), especially in thoracic surgery. As positional change during endotracheal tube placement could alter cuff pressure, we aim to evaluate the change in BCP of DLT from the supine to the lateral decubitus position during thoracic surgery.
A total of 69 patients aged 18-70 years who underwent elective lung surgery were recruited. BCP was measured at a series of time points in the supine and lateral decubitus positions after confirming the DLT placement. The primary outcome was change in the initial established BCP (BCPi), which is the maximum pressure at which the BCP did not exceed 40 cmH2O without air leak in the supine position, after lateral decubitus positioning.
As the primary outcome, the BCPi increased from 25.4 ± 9.0 cmH2O in the supine position to 29.1 ± 12.2 cmH2O in the lateral decubitus position (p < 0.001). Out of the 69 participants, 43 and 26 patients underwent surgery in the left-lateral decubitus position (LLD group) and the right-lateral decubitus position (RLD group) respectively.
In the LLD group, the BCPi increased significantly (p < 0.001) after lateral positioning and the beginning of surgery and the difference value, ∆BCPi, from supine to lateral position was significantly higher in the LLD group than in the RLD group (p = 0.034). Positional change from supine to lateral decubitus could increase the BCPi of DLT and the increase was significantly greater in LLD that in RLD.
The experience of family caregivers of patients receiving home nasogastric tube feeding in China: A descriptive qualitative study
Background: The value of caregivers to ensure safety during home nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding is increasingly acknowledged. However, little attention has been given to the experience of caregivers.
Methods: A qualitative descriptive design using semi-structured interviews via purposive sampling at a comprehensive hospital in China was employed. Family caregivers of patients with home NGT feeding were recruited. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed qualitatively using inductive content analysis.
Results: Thirteen family caregivers of patients with home NGT feeding were interviewed. Four main themes were generated: negative experience (uncertainty and ambivalence, transition gaps between hospitals and home care services), new role: adapting to the lifestyle (participating in decision-making, being responsible for everything, adjusting own life to NGT feeding), perceived benefit of caregiving (personal growth, development of positive attitudes and achievements), and expectations (expectations from continuity health system service, expectations from social support).
Principal conclusions: This study highlighted the vulnerability and perceived benefits embedded in the role of a family caregiver. Improving communication and standardizing practices between home and hospitals should be considered.