Effect of orogastric tubes on aspiration status and recommendations for oral feeding.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects, if any, of the presence of an orogastric tube on incidence of aspiration and oral diet recommendations.

STUDY

DESIGN

Case series with planned data collection.

SETTING

Large, urban, tertiary care teaching hospital.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Referred sample of 10 consecutively enrolled inpatients (2 pediatric, aged 17 days and 3 months, respectively; and 8 adults, mean age 63 years). An orogastric tube was present for the first videofluoroscopic swallowing study or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and then removed for the second swallow study.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences (P = 1.0) for both overall incidence of aspiration and aspiration by food consistency (liquid or puree) dependent on orogastric tube presence. All 9 participants recommended for an oral diet ate successfully.

CONCLUSIONS

An orogastric tube did not affect incidence of aspiration. A videofluoroscopic or endoscopic evaluation of swallowing can be performed with an orogastric tube present, and there is no contraindication to keeping an orogastric tube in place to supplement oral alimentation until prandial nutrition is adequate.