The Effect of Gastric Gas Emptying on the Residual Gastric Volume in Mechanically-Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients Fed Through Nasogastric Tubes: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective: Increased gastric residual volume is a complication of enteral nutrition intolerance that leads to gastrointestinal complications such as nausea, vomiting, and aspiration pneumonia. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of gastric gas emptying on the residual gastric volume in mechanically-ventilated patients fed through nasogastric tubes.Methods: This randomized, single-blind, clinical trial was conducted on two groups of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Kamyab Hospital of Mashhad. A total of 64 patients were randomly divided into a case and a control group. In the case group, the gastric gases accumulated through the nasogastric tube were emptied by applying palm pressure on the epigastric region. The control group did not undergo this intervention but received the routine care provided in the ward. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and a form containing records of the patients’ residual gastric volume and disease-related information. The residual gastric volume was measured and compared in the two groups before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed in SPSS-19 using the Chi-square test, the independent t-test, and the repeated measures ANOVA at the significance level of 5%.Results: The residual gastric volume did not differ significantly between the two groups before the intervention (p=0.14); after the intervention; however, a significant reduction was observed in the case group compared to the controls (p=0.007).Conclusion: Gastric gas emptying helps reduce the residual gastric volume in mechanically-ventilated patients fed through nasogastric tubes. Further studies are recommended to further ensure the benefits of this method.

Penerapan Pijat Perut Sebagai Evidence Based Nursing Untuk Menurunkan Volume Residu Lambung Pada Pasien Kritis

“…penelitiannya menciptakan stimulasi dan sedikit tekanan pada daerah epigastrium dan dengan demikian mendorong gerakan dari sistem pencernaan dan menyebabkan pengosongan gas lambung, sehingga mencegah muntah, distensi abdomen pada pasien, mengosongkan perut dan mengurangi sisa volume lambung pada pasien (Mohammadpour A, 2018). SIMPULAN Penerapan aplikasi jurnal pijat perut yang dilakukan pada pasien kritis yang terpasang NGT (Nasogastric Tube) dengan jumlah volume residu lambung berlebih, efektif mengurangi atau menurunkan jumlah volume residu lambung dan bisa diaplikasikan langsung pada pasien-pasien kritis.…”

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“…In addition, nutritional support considered as fundamental aspect of a standard caring of critical ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) [1,2]. It was reported that more than 40%to 50% of critically ill patients suffer from malnutrition [3]. In addition, through their initial stay in the ICU they lose about 5-10% skeletal muscle mass weekly [4].…”