The effect of three different nasogastric tube fixation materials on pressure injury in the intensive care unit

This study was conducted to determine the effects of three different nasogastric tube fixation materials (elastic plaster, medical silk plaster, transparent waterproof plaster) on pressure injury in the intensive care unit. The study was designed as a randomized, controlled experimental study. The sample was determined as a minimum of 84 people (n1=28, n2=28, n3=28) who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit of a training and research hospital in Istanbul between December 2023 and June 2024, who met the inclusion criteria were calculated with 90% power, 5% margin of error and f=0.20 effect size using G*Power 3.0.10 software (n1=28, n2=28, n3=28). Elastic plasters, medical silk plasters, and transparent waterproof plasters were applied to the patients. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Patient Follow-up Form, Braden Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scale, Glasgow Coma Scale and Nasogastric Tube Related Pressure Injuries Staging and Follow-up Form. Data were collected on the first, third, and last days, and statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v27 statistical analysis program. The rate of pressure injury (64.3%) was found to be higher in the group with elastic bandages compared to the other two groups (p<0.05). The injury rate was 35.7% in the medical silk bandage group and 44.0% in the transparent waterproof bandage group. The Braden Scale scores decreased over time in all three groups, but the decrease was more pronounced in the elastic bandage group. In Glasgow Coma Scale scores, the transparent waterproof plaster group showed better results than the elastic plaster group in the last days (p<0.05). We found that elastic packing increased the risk of pressure injury compared to medical silk packing and transparent waterproof packing. Medical silk and transparent watertight plasters may be preferred for nasogastric tube fixation. Long-term studies with larger samples are recommended. Key Words: Pressure injury, nursing, nasogastric tube, nasogastric tube fixation, medical equipment, intensive care unit