Verification of Correct Positioning of a Gastric Tube by Ultrasonography

Prospective Study to Evaluate Ultrasound Verification of the Correct Position of Gastric Tubes in Intensive Care

There are several ways to verify the correct positioning of a gastric tube. Radiography is considered the reference method. The use of ultrasonography could diminish the number of radiographies necessary. The hypothesis of this research is that gastric ultrasonography performed during insertion of the tube is a reliable examination to check the correct positioning of gastric tubes in intensive care.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients, or their persons of trust, in cases of coma or sedated patients) who have given informed oral consent
• All patients hospitalized in the surgery intensive care unit of Dijon CHU, who are intubated and require a gastric tube

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adults under guardianship, patients under 18 years of age
• Patients without national health insurance cover
• Pregnant women
• Wound or dressing preventing gastric ultrasonography (laparotomy is not an exclusion criterion if the dressing does not prevent ultrasonography being performed)
• result of the radiographic verification seen before the gastric ultrasonography is done