Background Traumatic subdiaphramatic perforation of esophagus or stomach
in neonates represents a rare clinical complication following the insertion of a
gastric tube and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the
present study was to evaluate whether the angle of the gastric tube depicted on
a plain radiograph may serve as a diagnostic tool to predict subdiaphragmatic
traumatic (or iatrogenic) perforation.
Patients and methods Thoraco-abdominal radiographs of 128 preterm and term
neonates without perforation and 15 neonates with perforation of the
esophagogastric junction or the stomach were retrospectively analysed.
Results The angle of the gastric tube increases with postnatal age
(p=0.0380). In the control group, the angle of the gastric tube varied
between 13° and 48° (median: 31°), whereas the values
ranged from -31° to 42° (median: 11°) in neonates with
subdiaphragmatic perforation. Perforation should thus be suspected in cases with
an angle of<20° (sensitivity: 93.3%; specificity:
91.4%). Moreover, an unusual localization of the tip beyond the gastric
bubble is highly indicative of perforation.
Discussion The present study emphasizes the importance of verifying the
correct course of an inserted gastric tube.
Conclusions In daily clinical practice, an angle of<20°
should be followed by thorough physical examination, abdominal ultrasound and if
applicable contrast medium examinations to exclude perforation.