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Placing a naso-duodenal catheter: Choosing the right one
The
right catheter must be used. It is best to prefer catheters from polyurethane
or form silicone. Their diameter must not be wider than 14Fr.
10Fr catheters are ideal as far as patient tolerance is concerned. However
if many drugs have to be crushed and administered through the catheter
these catheters often will block up. So occasionally we have to use wider
catheters such as 12 or 14Fr.
Length is also important. Ideally they must be longer than 120cm. I personally prefer the 140cm length. Catheters shorter than one meter have the disadvantage that their proximal end is located too close to the nose and becomes bothersome to the patient when it is being used.
The tip of the catheter is of prime importance for the outcome. If it is difficult to bend, it can be very difficult to be introduced through the bulb and then through the parts of the duodenum.