Intranasal Retraction of Nasogastric Feeding Tube: Case Report and Suggestion for Design Modification

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Abstract
A 61-year-old black woman was admitted with intermittent small bowel obstruction following multiple therapies for recurrent ovarian carcinoma. Conservative enteric therapy with central hyperalimentation was begun prior to surgical intervention. After approximately 3 wk without resolution, surgical bypass of the obstructed area was performed for palliation. With the return of bowel function, continuous enteral feeding was utilized. During placement of enteral feeding tube, the proximal end spontaneously retracted into the patient's nasal cavity with associated patient distress. After some difficulty, the feeding tube was removed. Simple design modification of the proximal portion of the nasogastric feeding tube should prevent such complication. The addition of "wings" to the proximal end should be considered as a modification to prevent similar occurrences. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 9:53-54, 1985)