Silicone NGT

[CharmedJ7]

I work on a GI surgery floor and we use a lot of NGTs. I hear a lot of debate though about whether silicone NGTs are preferred over the stiffer plastic ones. On the pro-silicone side, I've heard they are more comfortable for the pt, and with how much NGTs seem to make most people utterly miserable, this is a big factor. On the con side, I've also been told they are less effective and more difficult to insert r/t being more prone to folding in on itself. I can understand both arguments, but haven't done enough personally to have a strong opinion on it.

Anyone want to weigh in?

[ayla2004, ASN, RN]

we use 2 types of NG

larger bore for drainage these are stiffer rarely used.

and thin bore probaly latex these come with guidewire for enteral feeds.

of all the nurisng skills i dislike placing ng i rarely have to do it and every pt so far has been confused

i

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

I find placeing the silicone easier. They are much smaller, and have a guidewire to keep them stiff for insertion. The large bore tubes are meant only for suction. If they are to be feed through the tube, it should be changed to a dobhoff (or other name brand) of small bore feeding tube. AACN recently had an article out about this (I think last month?).

[CharmedJ7]

I find placeing the silicone easier. They are much smaller, and have a guidewire to keep them stiff for insertion. The large bore tubes are meant only for suction. If they are to be feed through the tube, it should be changed to a dobhoff (or other name brand) of small bore feeding tube. AACN recently had an article out about this (I think last month?).

Interesting. So given that we predominantly use them on my floor for gastric decompression/suctioning r/t intractable vomiting, the large bore (stiffer) tubes probably are better?

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

You will not be able to drain through a fine bore feeding NGT. You need a Rhyles tube with the big holes on it for decompression and drainage. I flick size 16 down all the time for bowel obstructions and bring up faceal matter from small bowel obsrtuctions that have caused a back log! The bigger the better in that case!

Don't put anything down them unless they are x rayed.

[ObtundedRN, BSN, RN]

Interesting. So given that we predominantly use them on my floor for gastric decompression/suctioning r/t intractable vomiting, the large bore (stiffer) tubes probably are better?

No, I meant that the large bore tubes are meant only for decompression. The small bore tubes are what should be used for tube feedings.