Guidewire-assisted Nasogastric Tube Insertion in Post Stroke Patients: A Simple Bedside Trick

Both intradeglutitive aspiration and postdeglutitive aspiration occur in stroke due to abnormalities of the opening muscles of the upper esophageal sphincter, old age, long-standing reflux, and muscular disorders. [...]aspiration risk is often an indication for nutritional support using nasogastric tubes (NGTs). {Figure 1} Several alternate methods used to facilitate insertion include the use of angiography catheter guidewire,[5] the use of a tracheal tube as a conduit,[6] the use of a videolaryngoscope for insertion,[7] the use of ureteral guidwire as a stylet[8] and the forward displacement of the larynx. [...]the guidewire-assisted passage of NGT is less time-consuming as well as a cost-effective, quick and safe option available at the bedside.