Timing of nasogastric tube insertion and the risk of postoperative pneumonia: an international, prospective cohort study

Aim Aspiration is a common cause of pneumonia in patients with postoperative ileus. Insertion of a nasogastric tube (NGT) is often performed, but this can be distressing. The aim of this study was to determine whether the timing of NGT insertion after surgery (before versus after vomiting) was associated with reduced rates of pneumonia in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. Method This was a preplanned secondary analysis of a...