Background: An abnormal position of nasogastric and rectal tubes can be the cause of iatrogenic injuries Most often it can happen in neonates and premature infants.
Material/methods: From 1982 through 2003, we observed 9 neonates (8 premature infants) with perforation of the alimentary tract.
Results: In most of these patients the only radiological sign was displacement of the nasogastric tube. In 5 children the tube was outside the esophagus, in 3 outside the stomach, and in 1 case perforation was caused by the rectal cannula. Neonates with esophageal perforation were treated conservatively with good effects. Surgical treatment was performed in four children with gastric and rectal perforation - two of whom died.
Conclusions: Evaluation of the position of nasogastric tube on the plain chest and abdominal x-ray is a very important diagnostic Consideration. Any deviation from the normal course of the tube should be suggestive of alimentary tract injury, even in the absence of any other signs of perforation.