The Levin tube
Nasogastric intubation
Nasogastric intubation is a medical process involving the insertion of a plastic tube through the nose, past the throat, and down into the stomach. Orogastric intubation is a similar process involving the insertion of a plastic tube through the mouth.
What is a Levin tube?
A Levin tube is very simple in design and one of the most common NG tubes used in the healthcare world. It is a type of nasogastric tubing that is made up of a single tube (called a lumen). Some other stomach tubes are dual lumen tubes, like Salem Sump tubes – one is used for drainage, while the other smaller lumen is open to the atmosphere.
Which stomach tubes can be used for continuous suction?
Some other stomach tubes are dual lumen tubes, like Salem Sump tubes – one is used for drainage, while the other smaller lumen is open to the atmosphere. This allows for continuous suction capabilities. The Levin NG tube is also used for suction, but not as continuous as the Sump tubes.
What are the different types of tubes used in the nursing profession?
The nursing paraprofessional should be familiar with the general characteristics and uses of each; the different types are usually ordered by name; for example: a. Levin Tube. The Levin tube is flexible with soft walls, and is about four feet long. It is available in sizes 12 French (small) to 18 French (large).
What is Miller Abbott tube used for?
Miller-Abbott Tube. The Miller-Abbott tube is a 10-foot long double lumen tube that is equipped with a small balloon near the metal tip at the distal end of the tube. One lumen is used for aspiration and irrigation; the other is used for inflating the balloon.
What is the difference between a Levin tube and a Salem sump tube?
The actual tubing is referred to as lumen. The Levin tube is a one-lumen nasogastric tube. The Salem-sump nasogastric tube is a two-lumen piece of equipment; that is, it has two tubes. The Levin tube is usually made of plastic with several drainage holes near the gastric end of the tube.
What is a Levin catheter?
Levin catheter, which is a single lumen, small bore NG tube. It is more appropriate for administration of medication or nutrition. Salem Sump catheter, which is a large bore NG tube with double lumen.
Where is Levin tube inserted?
Nasogastric tubes are, as one might surmise from their name, tubes that are inserted through the nares to pass through the posterior oropharynx, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. Dr. Abraham Levin first described their use in 1921.
What are the 2 types of nasogastric tubes?
Nasogastric tube of proper diameter. Two types of NG tubes are in common use—the single-lumen tubes (Levin) and the double-lumen sump (Salem's sump) tubes. The single-lumen tubes are best for decompression, and the double-lumen sump tube is best for continuous lavage or irrigation of the stomach.
What is Levin medical?
Medical Definition of Levin tube : a tube designed to be passed into the stomach or duodenum through the nose.
Why is an NG tube used for pancreatitis?
NG tube (nasogastric tube). It's used if vomiting is a problem. The tube can be used for a few weeks. It can be used to remove fluid and air and give your pancreas more time to heal. It can also be used to put liquid food into your stomach as you heal.
Why would a patient need an NG tube?
An NG tube is a common way to treat an intestinal blockage for those with IBD and enables doctors to feed and provide certain medications to people temporarily unable to swallow anything. It can also be used to remove substances from the stomach.
What does an NG tube do for a bowel obstruction?
During NG tube treatment, patients receive intravenous fluids for hydration. A nasogastric tube (NG tube) is used to drain fluid from the stomach, so that the bowel can rest and return to normal size.
Why do they put a tube up your nose?
A nasogastric (NG) tube is a long, flexible plastic tube inserted into a person's nose and threaded into the stomach. An NG tube may be used for treatments such as sucking excess fluids out of the stomach and delivering medicines. It also can deliver fluid that contains nutrients directly into the stomach.
What are the 3 types of feeding tubes?
The types of feeding tube are:Nasogastric Tube (NG Tube)Nasojejunal Tube (NJ Tube)Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)Jejunostomy tube (J-tube)
What is the most common feeding tube?
G-tubesG-tubes are the most common type of feeding tubes. They are placed surgically or endoscopically directly through the skin and into the stomach. Children and adults who require tube feeding for more than 3 months are likely to receive a G-tube.
Which is better NG tube or G tube?
While NG tubes are easier to place, tube removal is common and proper positioning is essential to prevent potential respiratory complications. Alternatively, G-tubes may be more stable but require an invasive procedure with risks for major and minor procedural and anesthetic complications, infection, and wound issues.
What is a Levin tube?
A Levin tube is very simple in design and one of the most common NG tubes used in the healthcare world. It is a type of nasogastric tubing that is made up of a single tube (called a lumen).
What is a Levin stomach tube?
Argyle Levin Stomach Tubes are a (levin type) nasogastric tube used for gastric suction, irrigation and administering medication. The levin stomach tube is made with a clear, thermosenstive pvc tube that has a smooth, rounded tip made to reduce insertion trauma, and allows for easy identification of fluids. The tube and tip are radiopaque for clear viewing on x-rays, the open distal end has 4 staggered eyes for smooth suction and less tube clogging, and it features markings at various lengths so that you can properly place the tube inside your patient and track the tubes migration as it is inserted/removed.
What is the purpose of a Rehfuss tube?
otopharyngeal tube eustachian tube. Rehfuss tube a single-lumen oral tube used to obtain specimens of biliary secretions for diagnostic study; it is weighted on one end so that it can be passed through the mouth and positioned at the point where the bile duct empties into the duodenum. See also biliary drainage test.
What is a test tube?
test tube a tube of thin glass, closed at one end; used in chemical tests and other laboratory procedures. thoracostomy tube a tube inserted through an opening in the chest wall, for application of suction to the pleural cavity; used to drain fluid or blood or to reexpand the lung in pneumothorax. See also chest tube.
What is the name of the tube that passes through the nose?
nasotracheal tube an endotracheal tube that passes through the nose. neural tube the epithelial tube produced by folding of the neural plate in the early embryo. orotracheal tube an endotrache al tube that passes through the mouth. otopharyngeal tube eustachian tube.
What is Ewald tube?
Ewald tube a large lumen tube used in gastric lavage. fallopian tube see fallopian tube. feeding tube one for introducing high-caloric fluids into the stomach; see also tube feeding. tube feeding a means of providing nutrition via a feeding tube inserted into the gastrointestinal tract; it may be done to maintain nutritional status over a period ...
What conditions require tube feeding?
Other conditions that may require tube feeding include surgery or trauma to the oropharynx, esophageal fistula, and impaired swallowing such as that which occurs following stroke or that related to neuromuscular paralysis. There are commercially prepared formulas for tube feeding.
What is a ventilation tube?
ventilation tube a tube inserted after myringotomy in chronic cases of middle ear effusion, such as in secretory or mucoid otitis media; it provides ventilation and drainage for the middle ear during healing, and is eventually extruded. Called also tympanostomy tube. Tympanostomy (ventilation) tube.
What is Durham's tube used for?
The tube is used in the secretin test for pancreatic exocrine function. Durham's tube a jointed tracheostomy tube.
How long is a Levin tube?
Levin Tube. The Levin tube is flexible with soft walls, and is about four feet long. It is available in sizes 12 French (small) to 18 French (large). It has a rounded tip with multiple holes and is marked by single circular rings at 10cm. (4 inch) intervals, the first being 45cm. (18 inches) from the tip. The Levin tube is used primarily ...
What is the mercury tube used for?
Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube. Also referred to as a Blakemore tube, this tube is a three lumen, esophageal-gastric balloon tube that is used in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices.
What is a gastric sump tube?
The gastric sump tube (salem, ventrol) is a flexible, double lumen tube. It is routinely used for continuous suction. One lumen is used for aspiration and irrigation. The smaller lumen provides a “vent” to the atmosphere. The advantage of this tube is the presence of the venting lumen, which decreases the occurrence of the tube obstruction.
What is Miller Abbott tube?
The Miller-Abbott tube is a 10-foot long double lumen tube that is equipped with a small balloon near the metal tip at the distal end of the tube. One lumen is used for aspiration and irrigation; the other is used for inflating the balloon. Air, water, or mercury (4 to 5 ml) accomplishes inflation.
What is a cantor tube?
Cantor Tube. This is a 10-foot long, single-lumen tube used for intestinal decompression. The Cantor tube has a mercury-weighted rubber tab attached to its perforated tip to help carry the tube through the stomach and intestine.
Why is a funnel used in the stomach?
A funnel is attached to the other end to facilitate introducing large amounts of fluid into the stomach. It is used only for washing out the stomach (lavage). It is stiff enough to be readily inserted through the mouth into an unconscious or poorly cooperative patient or one with a hypersensitive gag reflex.
Do you need sterile tube for gastrointestinal tube?
Since gastrointestinal tubes are inserted into nonsterile body cavities, sterile technique is usually not required for insertion, although the tubes are sterilized before use.
What is Levin's tube used for?
Levin’s tube is used for Gastrointestinal drainage. Manufactured from non-toxic, medical grade PVC compound. The distal end is coned with four lateral eyes for efficient drainage. The tube is marked at 45, 55, 65 and 75cm from the distal end for accurate placement into the abdomen.
What is a bladder catheter made of?
Used for bladder catheterization through the urethra. Made from non-toxic, non-irritant, medical grade PVC compound with a radio-opaque line. Distal end with 2 lateral eyes for maximum drainage & proximal end with funnel shape connector for easy connection to the urine bag.
