Erythromycin and metoclopramide improves the success rate of post-pyloric placement of the spiral distal end nasal-enteral feeding tubes.

Objective To determine whether intravenous infusion of erythromycin or metoclopramide can improve the success rate of post-pyloric placement of the spiral distal end nasal-enteral feeding tubes in critically ill patients.Methods One hundred and twenty critically ill patients were randomly divided into 3 groups.250 mg erythromycin and 10 mg of metoclopramide were given intravenously to patients in the erythromycin group and metoclopramide group before tube insertion respectively,and the dosages were repeated after 12 hours,while no gastrointestinal prokinetic agent was given to other patients as control group.24 hours later,an abdominal radiography was obtained at the bedside to locate the position of the feeding tube.Results The success rate of tube placement was 74.3%(29/39)in the erythromycin group,and 71.8%(28/39)in the metoclopramide group,both significantly higher than that 42.8%(18/42)in the control group(P0.05).Conclusion Intravenous infusion of erythromycin or metoclopramide can improve the success rate of post-pyloric placement of the spiral distal end nasal-enteral feeding tubes in critically ill patients.