Effect of a Novel Gastric Tube Insertion Method Using a Light-Emitting Diode Source and Fiber in Neonates: A Multicenter Study (GATU-LED Study).

OBJECTIVE

The placement of nasogastric tube (NGT) or an orogastric tube (OGT) is not always accurate in the stomach because the insertion is blind. Therefore, verifying the tip position of NGT or OGT after the insertion is essential. The aim of the study is to assess whether a light-emitting diode source and fiber (LED-SF) can accurately confirm the tip placement of NGT/OGT in neonates.

STUDY

DESIGN

This prospective multicenter study was conducted from December 2023 to March 2024, at five tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Japan. Neonates who required an NGT/OGT were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was whether the tip of the NGT/OGT inserted using the LED-SF was in the stomach. The secondary outcome was to compare the length determined by LED-SF light to the final decision length determined after X-ray. A statistical analysis was performed using cross-tabulation tests and linear regression.

RESULTS

A total of 101 neonates with a corrected gestational age of median 36.1 (range: 24.3-45.7) weeks were enrolled. All of the tube tips were in the stomach (100%). There were no adverse events. The association between the insertion length determined using LED-SF and the final length determined after X-ray was significant (r 2 = 0.844, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

LED-SF is an effective and safe method for verifying the tip position of NGT/OGT and can be easily used by anyone with minimal training. The LED-SF may be a reliable standard for bedside verification of NGT/OGT tip placement in preterm and term neonates.

KEY POINTS: · LED-SF enables clear visualization of the tip position of NGT and OGT.. · LED-SF is user-friendly and can be operated with minimal instructions.. · LED-SF would improve the workflow around NGT/OGT placement. · LED-SF may serve as a reliable standard for bedside verification of NGT/OGT tip placement.