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Routine nasogastric decompression may be unnecessary after elective laparotomy; this Level 5 study leaves open the need for randomized confirmation before practice change.
OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the need or other wise for use of nasogastric decompression after elective laparotomy, as many studies suggest that routine nasogastric decompression is unnecessary after elective laparotomy and may in fact be associated with an increased incidence of complications. Despite these reports the nasogastric tube is routinely used for decompression, believing that its use significantly decreases the risk of post-operative nausea, vomiting, aspiration pneumonia, wound dehiscence and anastomotic leakage. DESIGN: Descriptive case-series.
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A 2008 study studied this question.
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