Nasogastric bridles are associated with improved tube-related outcomes in children

Objective: To compare tube-related outcomes in children with standard tape vs nasal bridle securement of nasogastric tubes (NGTs). Study Design: This was a single-center, retrospective, correlational study of outcomes from the time of NGT placement until full oral feeds or durable-tube placement. Outcomes of interest included NGT dislodgments, length of stay, emergency department (ED) encounters, radiographic exposures, and adverse skin outcomes. Negative binomial regression and logistic regression were used to analyze differences between groups. Results: Five hundred eighty-two children had NGTs secured traditionally (43% female; age at therapy initiation of 2.6 months [SD 8.1]), and 173 received nasal bridles (55.5% female; age at therapy initiation of 8.4 months [SD 11.8]). Children with bridled NGTs were 16.67 times less likely to experience one or more dislodgments (odds ratio [OR] = 0.06; 95% CI, 0.04–0.09); 2.5 times less likely to have one more ED visit (OR = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.19–0.82), and 4.76 times less likely to require one more radiographic exposure (OR = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.14–0.33) than unbridled children (all P values < 0.02). The mean initial hospital length of stay was 28 and 54 days in the bridled-NGT and standard-care groups, respectively (P < 0.001). Overall, 62.4% children with bridled NGTs and 77.1% children with unbridled NGTs progressed to full oral feedings and discontinued therapy (P < 0.001). Adverse skin outcomes were rare in both groups. Conclusion: Children with bridled NGTs experienced fewer dislodgments, hospital days, ED encounters, and radiographic exposures than unbridled NGTs. Most children in both groups progressed to full oral feedings.