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# CoNEX as a new method to estimate the tip position of a nasogastric tube: A pilot study

(2019)
Author
Organization
Abstract
Background: The NEX-method (nose-earlobe-xiphoid process) is widely used to predict internal nasogastric tube length in adults. A possible alternative is the Hanson formula: (NEX x 0.38696)+30.37cm. Recent research revealed that, when using one of both methods, the tip position was located too close or even not beyond the lower esophageal sphincter (=LES) in > 20% of all patients. Assessment of the internal tube length by 3 radiologists in 183 patients suggested a correction of the Hanson formula: (NEX x 0.38696)+30.37cm+6cm. Aim of this current study was to determine whether this correction can be a valuable alternative to the other methods. Methods: A 3-month pilot study was conducted in a Belgian general hospital. External measurement to define the internal tube length was performed by 2 nutrition support nurses. The CoNEX method used to determine the internal tube length was (NEX x 0,38696)+36,37cm. After (re)positioning, 58 tubes were eligible to be assessed through X-ray by 2 independent radiologists. A correct tube position was defined as a tube placed with the tip 3 cm or more under the LES. Results: There is a significant difference between the use of the CoNEX method and the two other described methods to become an ideal tip position. The use of the CoNEX method (N=58) led to 100% of correctly positioned nasogastric tubes in all patients. It also resulted in a significantly higher probability to aspirate gastric contents after insertion of the tube: 69% of all patients vs. ≤56% in both two other methods. Discussion and Conclusion: The CoNEX method can be a valuable alternative to predict the internal tube position of a nasogastric tube but needs further research because of the small study population. It also makes it possible to obtain gastric aspirate in a higher amount of cases than the other two described methods.

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## Citation

Chicago
Torsy, Tim, Renée Saman, Kurt Boeykens, Ivo Duysburgh, and Dimitri Beeckman. 2019. “CoNEX as a New Method to Estimate the Tip Position of a Nasogastric Tube: A Pilot Study.” In .
APA
Torsy, T., Saman, R., Boeykens, K., Duysburgh, I., & Beeckman, D. (2019). CoNEX as a new method to estimate the tip position of a nasogastric tube: A pilot study. Presented at the CARE4 International Scientific Nursing and Midwifery Congress, Third Edition.
Vancouver
1.
Torsy T, Saman R, Boeykens K, Duysburgh I, Beeckman D. CoNEX as a new method to estimate the tip position of a nasogastric tube: A pilot study. 2019.
MLA
Torsy, Tim et al. “CoNEX as a New Method to Estimate the Tip Position of a Nasogastric Tube: A Pilot Study.” 2019. Print.
@inproceedings{8599660,
abstract     = {Background: The NEX-method (nose-earlobe-xiphoid process) is widely used to predict internal nasogastric tube length in adults. A possible alternative is the Hanson formula: (NEX x 0.38696)+30.37cm. Recent research revealed that, when using one of both methods, the tip position was located too close or even not beyond the lower esophageal sphincter (=LES) in {\textrangle} 20\% of all patients. Assessment of the internal tube length by 3 radiologists in 183 patients suggested a correction of the Hanson formula: (NEX x 0.38696)+30.37cm+6cm. Aim of this current study was to determine whether this correction can be a valuable alternative to the other methods.
Methods: A 3-month pilot study was conducted in a Belgian general hospital. External measurement to define the internal tube length was performed by 2 nutrition support nurses. The CoNEX method used to determine the internal tube length was (NEX x 0,38696)+36,37cm. After (re)positioning, 58 tubes were eligible to be assessed through X-ray by 2 independent radiologists. A correct tube position was defined as a tube placed with the tip 3 cm or more under the LES.
Results: There is a significant difference between the use of the CoNEX method and the two other described methods to become an ideal tip position. The use of the CoNEX method (N=58) led to 100\% of correctly positioned nasogastric tubes in all patients. It also resulted in a significantly higher probability to aspirate gastric contents after insertion of the tube: 69\% of all patients vs. \ensuremath{\leq}56\% in both two other methods.
Discussion and Conclusion: The CoNEX method can be a valuable alternative to predict the internal tube position of a nasogastric tube but needs further research because of the small study population. It also makes it possible to obtain gastric aspirate in a higher amount of cases than the other two described methods.},
author       = {Torsy, Tim and Saman, Ren{\'e}e and Boeykens, Kurt and Duysburgh, Ivo and Beeckman, Dimitri},
language     = {eng},
location     = {Leuven},
title        = {CoNEX as a new method to estimate the tip position of a nasogastric tube: A pilot study},
year         = {2019},
}