Traumatic nasogastric or endotracheal intubation involves putting a tube through the nose into the trachea (airway) or into the stomach.

Nasogastric tube placement is done to remove excess air, fluid, food, drugs, or poison from the stomach, or to deliver nutrients or drugs into the stomach. Endotracheal tube placement is done to maintain breathing or prevent aspiration (inhaling) of food into the airway.

The term traumatic refers to tissue irritation or damage that occurs as a result of the procedure. Other complications may result if either type of tube is placed incorrectly.

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Esophagus

Review Date: 07/13/2009
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)