Long-term insertion of gastric tube may cause persistent discomfort, esophageal and pharyngeal mucosal damage, and decreased gastric function.
1. Persistent discomfort: the gastric tube inserted for a long time will make the patient have a persistent foreign body sensation, discomfort, and may cause nausea and regurgitation until the gastric tube is removed.
2. Esophageal and pharyngeal mucous membrane damage: the gastric tube enters the stomach through the esophagus via the pharynx, so the gastric tube will form a continuous pressure on the pharynx and esophagus, which may lead to esophageal and pharyngeal mucous membrane damage if it is inserted for a long time.
3. Decrease in gastric function: The insertion of gastric tube may cause a decrease in appetite and inhibit peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a decrease in gastric function compared to a healthy stomach.
Gastric tube should be removed as early as possible when the physician judges that the conditions permit, so as to avoid the adverse consequences of too long insertion of gastric tube.