Securing the nasogastric tube in head and neck cancer patients

The nasogastric tube (NGT) remains an important method of enteral feeding in head and neck cancer patients and those who are critically ill. The NGT is normally secured to the skin with adhesive tapes. This method carries a high risk of accidental dislodgement, either by the patient or during nursing care. Replacement of the tubes is costly, time and effort intensive, uncomfortable to the patient, and potentially dangerous. We present a technique that is effective and safe. This entails securing the NGT to a fine bore suction catheter looped around the nasal septum. Summary The NGT is an important method of enteral feeding in the short and intermediate term. Various methods of securing the NGT have been described, but the risk of accidental extubation is high. We describe a simple method of securing the NGT to a fine bore suction catheter looped around the nasal septum. This method should be considered for patients in the critical care setting or head and neck cancer patients, in whom accidental extubation and repeated re-insertion of NGT may be hazardous.