Percutaneous pharyngostomy versus gastric tube placement in head injured patients. A prospective comparative study of 50 patients.

ABSTRACT

The author reports a prospective comparative study in two groups of patients with head injuries where the complications of conventional nasal placement of nasogastric tubes are compared to placement by pharyngostomy. Percutaneous pharyngostomy is a simple procedure that eliminates some of the complications associated with the use of nasogastric tubes. It has particular advantages in patients with maxillofacial- and skull base injuries, is well tolerated in patients with a depressed level of consciousness and eliminates some of the infective complications associated with the use of nasogastric tubes.