Explore of safety retention time of silica gel nasogastric feeding tube among elderly patients with long time retention

Objective To investigate the safety retention time of the long-term silicone gel nasogastric feeding tube among elderly patients,so as to ensure the safe of the stomach tube,and reduce related complications.Methods Totals of 60 patients with indwelling stomach tube in the hospital from Jan to Sep,2012,were collected,and randomly divided into A,B,C groups,each group with 20 patients equally.The patients of Group A were with the indwelling stomach tube for two weeks,Group B for three weeks,and Group C for four weeks,then observed the changes of gastric tube and the patient's response.Results The tube color,reflexed vestige,hardness and elasticity in Group A,group B were better than that in group C,the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).And the rate of pharynx nasalis hyperaemia,edema,erosion in Group A,group B were less than that in group C,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions For the elderly patients with indwelling stomach tube in long term,the safety time should not longer than three weeks,which can relieve the pain of patients,and reduce the incidence of related complications. Key words: Elderly;  Nasogastric feeding;  Silicone;  Gastric tube;  Safety time