ArticleBMC surgery2026
National survey on management practices for adhesional small bowel obstruction and nasogastric tube use among general surgeons in Australia.
Article in BMC surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Do nasogastric or nasoenteric tubes improve outcomes from adhesional small bowel obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMC surgery · 2025Pooled it
- National survey on management practices for adhesional small bowel obstruction and nasogastric tube use among general surgeons in Australia.BMC surgery · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe nasogastric tube (NGT) is recommended routinely by current guidelines in the non-operative management of adhesional small bowel obstruction (ASBO). However, several retrospective studies have reported poorer outcomes in ASBO patients managed with an NGT. We sought to examine current practices among Australian General Surgeons in managing ASBO and using NGTs, assess the presence of surgical equipoise for a potential randomised controlled trial (RCT), and evaluate interest in multi-centre collaboration.
methodsIn October 2021, we conducted an online survey of all active members of General Surgeons Australia using a REDCap
resultsOf the 893 emails sent, 181 responses were received (20%). Most respondents were from New South Wales (47%) and had subspecialty training (71%). An NGT was used in over 90% of ASBO cases by 42% of respondents. 64% believed NGT use could prevent surgery, and 93% viewed it as having a therapeutic role. Vomiting was the most common indication for insertion, and 69% believed it reduces aspiration risk. Gastrografin
conclusionsThere is considerable variation among surgeons in their beliefs regarding its utility. The observed variation in practice patterns and underlying beliefs reflects ongoing clinical uncertainty. Given the exploratory nature of the survey and its response rate, these findings should be interpreted as reflecting practice variability, rather than establishing consensus, and may inform the design of further investigation through a RCT.
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