The gastric probe consists in inserting a probe (tube) through the nose or mouth and collecting gastric juice by suction, which is subjected to appropriate tests. However, the gastric probe can be used not only in the diagnosis of certain diseases of the digestive system, but also in the treatment of people who, for various reasons, cannot eat traditional meals.

Stomach probehas found application in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. It is most often used to assess gastric secretory function and to feed patients.

Gastric probe - indications

The gastric probe can be used to assess the secretory function of the stomach, especially the production of hydrochloric acid, e.g. in the course of gastric and duodenal ulcer disease. A gastric tube may also be inserted to evaluate the effectiveness of surgical treatment of gastric ulcers. In addition, the gastric probe is used in the diagnosis of poisoning (then it is often combined with gastric lavage).

The gastric probe is also used in the nutrition of people who, for various reasons, cannot eat traditional meals, e.g. premature babies, people with swallowing disorders, mental diseases such as anorexia, people with disorders caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy , e.g. lack of appetite, persistent vomiting.

A gastric tube is also inserted after abdominal surgery to decompress the stomach, reduce the risk of nausea and vomiting, or aspiration, and thus reduce the risk of wound dehiscence. It is left on until the bowel function returns.

Gastric probe - how to prepare for the test?

No medications should be taken 48 hours before the stomach probe, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. You must come for the examination on an empty stomach.

Before the examination, a gastroscopy or an X-ray of the upper gastrointestinal tract is usually performed.

Gastric probe - what does its insertion look like?

The patient is sitting during the examination. The doctor anesthetizes the throat with an anesthetic in the form of an aerosol in order to suppress the gag reflex. After a few minutes, the doctor gently tilts the tip of the nose back and up with his fingers to insert the probe(plastic tube). The tip of the probe passes into the palate and is then advanced to the oropharyngeal cavity and from there to the stomach.

  • gastric probe - examination

After emptying the stomach, gastric juice is collected from the residual contents within an hour (by suction). Then, after injection (subcutaneously, intramuscularly or intravenously) with a suitable juice stimulant, gastric juice is collected for one hour in four 15-minute increments. (note: pregnant women must not take these preparations!). The patient may experience temporary side effects associated with the administration of preparations that stimulate the secretion of gastric acid. The examination takes up to 2.5 hours. The result is obtained in the form of a description, with the numerical values ​​of the amount of acid released: basal, maximum and peak.

  • gastric probe - feeding

Food is fed through the tube in liquid form. It is 200-300 ml of food at a temperature of about 30 degrees Celsius at a time.

Stomach probe - complications

Injury can occur when inserting the gastric probe, especially if the probe tip is not guided correctly when it passes through the nose, or because the nasopharyngeal mucosa is fragile. The esophagus may also be punctured, leading to inflammation of the mediastinum.

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