BACKGROUND: The nasogastric tube is often used by clinicians and surgeons for various purposes. However, complications are described with its use, and more severe esophageal stenosis with high morbidity rates, have effective prevention and treatment. AIM: To analyze the clinical, epidemiology, treatment and outcomes of patients with this complication. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 26 patients who had complete records of age, gender, etiology and duration of gastric nasogastric tube, co-morbidities and previous surgery as well as the treatment evolution, early and late, and classified according to the scale of Karnofsky after mean follow-up of 28 months. RESULTS: The majority were men (76.9%), mean age 47 years and mean duration of nasogastric tube of 19 days; 69.2% were surgical patients and only 26.9% had gastro-esophageal reflux disease. All were treated with esophageal dilatation aided by endoscopy and 61.5% underwent surgical treatment. The early results were excellent in 46.2%, good in 34.6% and 19.2% regular. Late results were excellent in 42.4%, good in 30.7% and 26.9% regular. CONCLUSIONS: The use of nasogastric tube should be restricted to selected cases, preventing the occurrence of esophageal stricture; when present, it can be effectively treated using esophageal dilation, with or without associated operation.
Esophageal stenosis; Nasogastric tube; Esophagus; Dilations
