Review: routine NG decompression after abdominal surgery delays return of bowel function and increases pulmonary complications.

ED FROM Nelson R, Edwards S, Tse B. Prophylactic nasogastric decompression after abdominal surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2007;(3):CD004929. Correspondence to: Prof R Nelson, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield, UK; [email protected]; [email protected] Source of funding: no external funding. c Clinical impact ratings: General surgery 6/7; Perioperative 7/7 Routine nasogastric tube decompression v selective decompression or no tube use (control) after abdominal surgery in adults* Weighted event rates Outcomes Number of trials (n) Routine decompression Control RRI (95% CI) NNH (CI) Pulmonary complications 24 (3937) 9.0% 6.0% 45% (8 to 93) 34 (20 to 100) Anastomotic leak 13 (2113) 2.6% 2.3% 19% (231 to 104){ Not significant