Effect of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding on Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patient

A Randomized Controlled Study to Explore the Effect of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding on Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patient

This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe Traumatic Brain Injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.

The safe and effective nutrition support for severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy continues to be a challenge. Nasogastric tube feeding has been the mainstream choice in China but with the risk of complications. Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding is an established modality of enteral nutrition support that can be used with routine treatment. This study reports the clinical outcomes of Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding vs. nasogastric tube feeding, in patients receiving routine treatment. This was a multicenter randomized controlled study of 98 severe traumatic brain injury patients with tracheostomy. Patients enrolled were divided randomly into the observation group with Intermittent Oro-esophageal Tube Feeding or the control group with Nasogastric tube feeding for enteral nutrition support, respectively. Nutritional status, complications, decannulation of tracheostomy tubes and level of consciousness on day 1 and day 28 were recorded and compared.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥ 18 years, meeting the diagnosis of severe Traumatic Brain Injury, confirmed through MRI
• score of Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) <8;
• presence of no contraindication for enteral nutrition;
• with stable vital signs and no severe liver or kidney dysfunction, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or multiple complications;
• informed consent form was obtained from the patients' family members, indicating their full understanding of the study and agreement to participate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• unable to cooperate in completing treatment and assessment due to personal reasons or other disorders;
• complicated with other intracranial lesions, such as stroke;
• with severe consciousness disorders caused by other diseases.