digital (two-finger) versus video laryngoscopy for nasogastric tube insertion in intubated patients; a clinical trial study

Background: performing nasogastric tube (ngt) insertion is very challenging in anesthetized and intubated patients and a conclusive method has not yet been presented in this regard. hence, the current study aimed at comparing digital (two-finger) and video laryngoscopy methods during ngt insertion.introduction: performing nasogastric tube (ngt) insertion is very challenging in anesthetized and intubatedpatients. the current study aimed at comparing digital (two-finger) and video laryngoscopy methods for ngtinsertion in the mentioned patients. methods: the present single-blind clinical trial was performed on 76 intubated patients, who were randomly divided into two groups. groups a and b underwent video laryngoscopyand digital (two-finger) methods, respectively. then, the success rate, the number of attempts to insert ngt,duration of insertion, hemodynamic parameters, and patients’ satisfaction level were recorded and compared between groups. results: the mean duration of ngt insertion in group a was significantly higher than that ofgroup b (19.07 ± 2.07 vs 11.53 ± 2.16 seconds; p value=0.001). the success rate was higher in group b (94.7%vs. 78.9%; p value=0.042). considering the interfering factors such as patients’ body mass index (bmi), the oddsof success in group b was reported to be 8.49 times higher than that of group a (p value =0.028). conclusion: digital method can be considered as a safe and appropriate method of ngt insertion for intubated cases with high success rate and speed of performance.