Omission of gastric decompression after major intestinal surgery.

This study was performed in order to evaluate whether postoperative nasogastric intubation as a routine measure after major intestinal surgery is advisable or not. Factors related to postoperative nasogastric intubation were compared in two consecutive series of patients operated on with construction of a continent ileostomy. 44 patients were provided with a nasogastric tube and 52 patients had no postoperative nasogastric intubation. There were no postoperative complications which could be ascribed to the presence or absence of the nasogastric tube. Patients without nasogastric tube needed less patenteral fluid support and could resume oral feeding earlier than those with nasogastric intubation. It is concluded that postoperative nasogastric intubation can be omitted as a routine procedure after construction of a continent ileostomy.