Background:Insertion of a nasogastric tube (NGT) in an anesthetized, comatose intubated patient is not always as easy as in a conscious, cooperative patient. Various techniques have been tried with varying success. The aim of this randomized study was to compare and evaluate the two techniques of NGT insertion with the conventional technique of insertion with respect to success rate, time taken for insertion and adverse effects.Materials and Methods:Patients admitted for laparoscopic hysterectomy were chosen and then were divided into three equal groups of forty each, by randomized technique. Group C included patients in whom conventional method was used to insert NGT. Group R where reverse Sellick's technique was used. Group F where neck flexion with lateral pressure was used.Results:Both the techniques were better than the conventional method. Among both the techniques, reverse Sellick's technique was the best method but not without adverse effects. The required insertion time was very less and success in the first attempt was more in the group where reverse Sellick's was used.Conclusion:Modified techniques of NGT insertion were better than the conventional method. Further studies after eliminating major limitations are required to really find a superior technique.

Background:The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of postoperative analgesia with epidural buprenorphine and butorphanol tartrate.Methods:Sixty patients who were scheduled for elective laparoscopic hysterectomies were randomly enrolled in the study. At the end of the surgery, in study Group A 1 ml (0.3 mg) of buprenorphine and in Group B 1 ml (1 mg) of butorphanol tartrate both diluted to 10 ml with normal saline was injected through the epidural catheter. Visual analog pain scales (VAPSs) were assessed every hour till the 6th h, then 2nd hourly till the 12th h. To assess sedation, Ramsay sedation score was used. The total duration of postoperative analgesia was taken as the period from the time of giving epidural drug until the patients first complain of pain and the VAPS is more than 6. Patients were observed for any side effects such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, pruritus, and headache.Results:Buprenorphine had a longer duration of analgesia when compared to butorphanol tartrate (586.17 ± 73.64 vs. 342.53 ± 47.42 [P < 0.001]). Nausea, vomiting (13% vs. 10%), and headache (20% vs. 13%) were more in buprenorphine group; however, sedation score and pruritus (3% vs. 6%) were found to be more with butorphanol.Conclusion:Epidural buprenorphine significantly reduced pain and increased the quality of analgesia with a longer duration of action and was a better alternative to butorphanol for postoperative pain relief.