Medical Encyclopedia:
Nasogastric Suction: Purpose
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Nasogastric suction may be done in the following situations:
- to decompress the stomach or small intestine when intestinal obstruction (ileus) is suspected
- prior to gastrointestinal operations
- to obtain a sample of the gastric contents for analysis
- to remove toxic substances
- to flush the stomach during gastrointestinal bleeding or poisonings
Nasogastric intubation, the insertion of a tube through the nose into the stomach or small intestine, is also done to temporarily feed certain patients. In this case, material is not suctioned out.
— Tish Davidson
