How long does it take to insert a stomach tube for pancreatitis?

A gastric tube is usually inserted for days to weeks in patients with pancreatitis.

If pancreatitis is very severe, such as severe abdominal distension, vomiting, etc., the gastric tube may need to be left in place for a long time to fully decompress and drain, help relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, and promote recovery. In this case, a gastric tube may need to be inserted for weeks. The patient's own recovery speed may also affect the gastric tube retention time. If the patient's symptoms gradually improve, gastrointestinal function gradually recovers, spontaneous defecation, and abdominal distension is significantly reduced, gastric tube removal may be considered. This may take several days.

During treatment, the need for gastric tube changes as the disease improves and various treatment measures progress. For example, when oral feeding can be started and no discomfort occurs after eating, gastric tube removal is usually possible

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