Tension Pneumothorax and Subcutaneous Emphysema Complicating Insertion of Nasogastric Tube
Table 1
Complications of nasogastric tubes insertion.
Organ/system
Complication
Nasopharyngeal
Hemorrhage
Ulceration
Oropharyngeal coiling
Eustachian tube misplacement
Larynx
Trauma
Ulceration
Vocal cord dysfunction
Vocal cord paralysis
Gastrointestinal
Coiling
Knotted tube
Hemorrhage
Reflex esophagitis
Ulceration
Pneumoperitoneum
Perforation
Esophageal feeding
Tracheoesophageal fistula
Sepsis
Pleuropulmonary (2%)
Aspiration of gastric content/enteral feed: pneumonitis, pneumonia, empyema, abscess, and sepsis Bronchial misplacement: atelectasis, collapse, pulmonary hemorrhage, and perforation
Intrapleural placement: pneumothorax (60%), haemothorax, hydrothorax, and bronchopleural fistula Airway obstruction: early or late; respiratory distress and ventilator failure
Mediastinal
Mediastinal misplacement
Mediastinitis
Pneumomediastinum
Others
Nasogastric tube syndrome (upper airway obstruction secondary to ulceration of postcricoid region causing
