Non-placement of nasogastric tube versus early removal of nasogastric tube in the enhanced recovery after surgery of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case control study

Patients with HCC undergoing hepatectomy without prophylactic nasogastric tube placement have a low but measurable risk of postoperative nasogastric tube re-insertion. Preoperative nasogastric tube insertion is recommended for patients with a history of abdominal surgery and/or estimated operation time of > 326 min.