It is the practice of many surgeons to use the routine nasogastric tube after biliary operations, but its usefulness has been questioned. This study was designed to determine the effect of postoperative nasogastric intubation on gastrointestinal function in patients with obstructive jaundice. In this randomized clinical trial, 40 patients who underwent choledochoduodenostomy or hepaticojejunostomy were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in the experimental group did not have the nasogastric tube, and in the control group the nasogastric tube was routinely applied after surgery. Gastrointestinal function was compared in these two groups. Patients with no nasogastric intubation did not show any postoperative complications or prolonged hospital stay. On the contrary, nasogastric tube insertion postponed return of bowel function and increased the incidence of nausea and vomiting, while it did not affect the incidence of postoperative ileus. Routine use of the nasogastric tube after choledochoduodenostomy or hepaticojejunostomy can delay normal gastrointestinal function and increase postoperative discomfort.
Keywords: Gastrointestinal function; Nasogastric intubation; Postoperative ileus.