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Pneumothorax Complicating Small-Bore Feeding Tube Placement
Journal article

Pneumothorax Complicating Small-Bore Feeding Tube Placement

Gary D Wendell, Gregory S Lenchner and Robert A Promisloff
Archives of internal medicine (1960), v 151(3), pp 599-602
01 Mar 1991
PMID: 1848058

Abstract

Small-bore Silastic feeding tubes are being used with increasing frequency for short- and long-term enteral hyperalimentation. We present three cases where these flexible tubes were passed into the tracheobronchial tree and then out into the pleural space. The result in each case was a pneumothorax or hydropneumothorax. These cases were collected at one community hospital over a 6-month period. A review of the current literature reveals reports of 10 similar cases. We conclude that, although the exact incidence of pleural complications of small-bore feeding tubes is unknown, it is not insignificant. The traditional methods of assessing proper nasogastric tube placement are inadequate when applied to these small tubes. Only a chest roentgenogram can assure placement in the stomach. Education of hospital staff on methods to avoid malposition of feeding tubes has resulted in an absence of pulmonary complications over a subsequent 1-year period.(Arch Intern Med. 1991;151:599-602)

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