• Maria-Eulàlia Juvé-Udina, Consol Valls-Miró, Avelina Carreño-Granero, Gemma Martinez-Estalella, David Monterde-Prat, Carmen-Maria Domingo-Felici, Joan Llusa-Finestres, and Gemma Asensio-Malo.
• IDIBELL, Catalan Institute of Health, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 587, Barcelona 08007, Spain. ejuve@gencat.cat
• Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2009 Oct 1;25(5):258-67.

BackgroundThe control of gastric residual volume (GRV) is a common nursing intervention in intensive care; however the literature shows a wide variation in clinical practice regarding the management of GRV, potentially affecting patients' clinical outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of returning or discarding GRV, on gastric emptying delays and feeding, electrolyte and comfort outcomes in critically ill patients.MethodA randomised, prospective, clinical trial design was used to study 125 critically ill patients, assigned to the return or the discard group. Main outcome measure was delayed gastric emptying. Feeding outcomes were determined measuring intolerance indicators, feeding delays and feeding potential complications. Fluid and electrolyte measures included serum potassium, glycaemia control and fluid balance. Discomfort was identified by significant changes in vital signs.ResultsPatients in both groups presented similar mean GRV with no significant differences found (p=0.111), but participants in the intervention arm showed a lower incidence and severity of delayed gastric emptying episodes (p=0.001). No significant differences were found for the rest of outcome measurements, except for hyperglycaemia.ConclusionsThe results of this study support the recommendation to reintroduce gastric content aspirated to improve GRV management without increasing the risk for potential complications.

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