ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the safety and effect of none routine nasogastric decompression tube after radical gastrectomy. Methods The clinical data of 100 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy in our department from January 2013 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 50 patients did not receive postoperative nasogastric tube decompression (group A) and 50 patients received nasogastric tube decompression after operation (group B). The time to flatus, semi-liquid diet, length of hospital stay and associated postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results The time to have semi-liquid diet ([5.82±1.10] d vs[7.80±1.92] d) and length of hospital stay ([6.82±1.27] d vs[9.10±3.42] d) in group A were significantly shorter than those in group B (P0.05). Conclusion None routine nasogastric decompression tube is safe for patients who have received radical gastrectomy, and it may accelerate postoperative recovery and shorten the hospital stay.