Assessing ultrasound for confirming gastric feeding tube placement

Gastric Ultrasound Feeding Tube Placement Confirmation Study

Leiden University Medical Center · NCT06595537

This study tests if using ultrasound can help doctors make sure gastric feeding tubes are placed correctly in ICU patients, compared to the usual chest X-ray method.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment58 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorLeiden University Medical Center (other)
Locations1 site (Leiden, South Holland)
Trial IDNCT06595537 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study evaluates the accuracy of ultrasound in confirming the correct placement of gastric feeding tubes (GFTs) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Patients requiring GFT placement or replacement will undergo an ultrasound procedure after the tube insertion, where a specific Doppler signal, known as the 'mosaic sign', will be assessed following air insufflation. The study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound against the standard chest X-ray method for confirming GFT placement, potentially improving patient safety in ICU settings.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include tracheally intubated ICU patients who require a gastric feeding tube for nutritional support.

Not a fit: Patients who do not require a gastric feeding tube or are in a prone position may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance the safety and reliability of gastric feeding tube placements in ICU patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of ultrasound for GFT placement confirmation is gaining interest, this specific approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being tracheally intubated

  * Have a gastric feeding tube which needs replacement for any particular reason e.g the GFT is not functioning, has been displaced, and the patient has no exclusion criteria ( zie 4.3).
  * Need a gastric feeding tube
  * Given informed consent directly

Exclusion Criteria:

* Does not need a gastric feeding tube and doesn't have one.
* Laparotomy wound interfering with abdominal ultrasound.
* Patient in prone position
* No informed consent

Where this trial is running

Leiden, South Holland

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Gastric Feeding Tubes, Ultrasound, gastric ultrasound, Gastric feeding tube, Point of care ultrasound

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.