Nasogastric tube placement in head and neck cancer patients can be challenging, especially following surgery. We recommend loosely tying a fibreoptic nasendoscope (FNE) to the nasogastric tube using three surgical ties. The ties are wrapped tightly around the nasogastric tube and very loosely around the FNE in a figure of eight (Fig 1). The rigidity of the FNE will guide the movement of the nasogastric tube past obstructions. A forceps must be used to hold the nasogastric tube in position while the FNE is retracted. The ties are left attached to the nasogastric tube and are removed when the tube is removed.
Figure 1.
Depiction of how the nasogastric tube should be tied to the fibreoptic nasendoscope, represented by a black straw