Background and purpose: Gastrointestinal complications in mechanically ventilated patients with feeding tube is common and causes feeding intolerance. Discharge of gastric gases is believed to reduce these complications. This study aimed at assessing the effect of gastric gases discharge on gastrointestinal complications in ICU patients on mechanical ventilation with feeding tube.

Materials and methods: A single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in 64 patients undergoing mechanical ventilation with CPAP mode in Shahid Kamyab Hospital, Mashhad, Iran in 2015. In experimental group gastric gases were discharged through a nasogastric tube but the control group did not receive any intervention. Gastrointestinal complications including abdominal distention, diarrhea, and vomiting were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention.

Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in incidence of diarrhea (P=0.23) and vomiting (P=1.00) but the groups significantly differed in distention (P=0.004).

Conclusion: Discharge of gastric gases in patients on mechanical ventilation decreases gastric distention. Therefore, this method could be used in such cases but further studies are suggested to clarify its application.