•Indications: to relieve obstruction (mechanical vs. functional), empty gastric contents, prevent aspiration of intubated patient

•Equipment: Lubricant, NG tube

•Technique: lubricate tube, then insert NGT aiming posteriorly into larger nare until tube is past soft palate into posterior pharynx thru to esophagus.  Aspiration of gastric contents confirms placement,  as does injecting 30ml of air into NGT while auscultating over stomach.

•Complications: bleeding, infection, esophageal perforation, misplacement, cribiform plate perforation