Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Comparing Two Methods to Measure Nasogastric Tube Length

220 participantsStarted 2025-06

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using a novel nasogastric tube assisted placement system (NCKU-NG system) can more accurately place the nasogastric tube at the optimal position in the stomach compared to conventional blind insertion techniques in adult inpatients requiring nasogastric tube placement. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the NCKU-NG system improve the accuracy of nasogastric tube placement at the optimal gastric position compared to standard blind insertion? * Does the NCKU-NG system reduce the rate of misplacement (such as entry into the airway or inadequate gastric depth), number of repeated attempts, and complication rate compared to the conventional method? * Can estimation of nasogastric tube length using the NCKU-NG system provide a more reliable reference than external measurement or X-ray? Researchers will compare patients randomized to nasogastric tube insertion with the NCKU-NG system (intervention arm) versus conventional blind insertion following standard external measurement methods (control arm) to see if the NCKU-NG system improves placement accuracy and reduces adverse events. Participants will: * Be randomized to one of two groups: * Intervention group: Receive nasogastric tube insertion using the NCKU-NG system (video-assisted real-time visualization, with active confirmation of passage through the esophagogastric junction and final position in the stomach based on sidehole location). * Control group: Receive traditional nasogastric tube blind bedside insertion based on standard measurement (eg. Nose-Earlobe-Xiphoid + 10 cm). * All procedures will use the same material nasogastric tube (16 French polyurethane radiopaque tube). * Undergo confirmation of tube position by X-ray within 8 hours post-insertion for both groups. * Have the following outcomes assessed: * Placement accuracy (percentage of tubes placed at optimal predefined gastric position) * Number of placement attempts and failures * Rate of inadvertent airway or inadequate placement * Incidence of complications (e.g., aspiration, pneumothorax, gastrointestinal tract injury) * Correlation between video-assisted measurement and X-ray estimation of intragastric length

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (aged ≥18 years) * Patients requiring nasogastric tube placement * Patients who are hospitalized Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with a chest wound that prevents palpation of the xiphoid process * Patients who have had a gastrectomy * Patients with a gastric tumor * Patients with a head and neck tumor * Patients who are agitated and difficult to place the nasogastric tube * Patients with abnormal esophageal structure * Patients with a basilar skull fracture * Patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding * Patients with an expected lifespan of less than 48 hours * Patients who cannot undergo an X-ray confirmation (e.g., pregnant women) * Patients with unstable blood pressure (mean arterial pressure \< 65 mmHg) * Patients with ischemic, perforated, or obstructed bowel * Patients with high-output fistula/ostomy * Patients using photosensitive drugs * Critically ill patients * Patients with acute needs as determined by the attending physician * Patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score \< 8

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Placement accuracy

Timeframe: Within 8 hours after the completion of a nasogastric tube insertion; that is, after the X-ray was taken

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06982495

SponsorNational Cheng-Kung University Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Intubation, Nasogastric trials