Nasogastric tube positioning

Changed by Ayush Goel, 8 Apr 2015

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Assessment of nasogastric (NG) tube positioning is a key competency of all doctors as unidentified malpositioning may have dire consequences, including death.

The ideal position should be in the sub-diaphragmatic position in the stomach - identified on a plain chest radiograph as overlying the gastric bubble. Ideally it should be at least ~~10cm~~10 cm beyond the gastro-oesophageal junction ¹.

Malpositioning may include tip position:

remaining in the oesophagus
down either bronchus or more distally into the lung
coiled in the upper airway

In some circumstances fluroscopic nasojejunal tube insertion is necessary.

-Assessment of nasogastric (NG) tube positioning is a key competency of all doctors as unidentified malpositioning may have dire consequences, including death.The ideal position should be in the sub-diaphragmatic position in the stomach - identified on a plain chest radiograph as overlying the <a href="/articles/gastric-bubble">gastric bubble</a>. Ideally it should be at least 10cm beyond the <a href="/articles/gastro-oesophageal-junction">gastro-oesophageal junction</a> 1. Malpositioning may include tip position:<ul>
+Assessment of nasogastric (NG) tube positioning is a key competency of all doctors as unidentified malpositioning may have dire consequences, including death.The ideal position should be in the sub-diaphragmatic position in the stomach - identified on a plain chest radiograph as overlying the <a href="/articles/gastric-bubble">gastric bubble</a>. Ideally it should be at least 10 cm beyond the <a href="/articles/gastro-oesophageal-junction">gastro-oesophageal junction</a> 1. Malpositioning may include tip position:<ul>

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Image 8 X-ray (Frontal) ( update )

Caption was added:

Case 8: misplaced nasogastric tube

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Nasogastric tube positioning

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