INTER-OPERATOR REPRODUCIBILITY OF ULTRASOUND ASSESSMENT OF GASTRIC RESIDUAL VOLUME IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction:Optimal nutrition is essential for managing critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs), with enteral nutrition (EN) being the preferred method due to its benefits in preserving gut integrity, reducing infection risk, and improving outcomes. However, achieving feeding goals is often challenged by gastrointestinal intolerance, with gastric residual volume (GRV) as a key indicator of feeding tolerance. GRV is traditionally assessed using nasogastric aspiration, a method with limitations, including discomfort, variability, risk of tube displacement, and nutrient loss. Frequent GRV monitoring can also disrupt feeding, leading to caloric deficits and delayed recovery.Ultrasound (US) has emerged as a non-invasive, bedside tool for GRV assessment, providing real-time, reproducible measurements without disrupting feeding or causing discomfort. Its reliability in clinical practice requires validation to ensure inter-operator reproducibility and accuracy compared to the standard method. This approach offers a more efficient, comfortable alternative to improve nutritional management in ICU patients.AIM OF THE WORK1. Assess inter-operator reproducibility in gastric ultrasound assessment.2. Compare sonographic assessment of GRV with nasogastric aspirate GRV.