Nasogastric tubes (NGTs) are standard practice in the management of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). Their insertion can be associated with significant patient discomfort and complications. Current research suggests that patients with ASBO managed with NGTs may experience poorer outcomes and higher rates of operative intervention compared with those managed without. However, to date, there are no prospective clinical trials evaluating this.

This study will be designed as a single centre, prospective, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial to determine if the avoidance of an NGT is non-inferior to its use in ASBO. Patients meeting inclusion criteria will be randomised to either receive an NGT or no NGT for ASBO management. The primary outcome will be the rate of operative intervention as determined by review of medical records at day 30 post discharge. Secondary outcomes will include rate of bowel resection or bowel ischaemia, length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, time to operative intervention, rate of ICU admission, incidence of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification), quality of life scores (European Quality of Life 5 Dimension 5 Level: EQ-5D-5L) at admission, day 30 and day 90, 90-day mortality, incidence of pulmonary complications (Melbourne Group Scale), rate of NGT specific complications and rate of Gastrografin use. The study will be powered at 80% to detect a clinically relevant difference of 10% between groups receiving an NGT compared with no NGT, requiring a total of 490 study participants. Statistical analysis will follow intention to treat principles. Differences between treatment arms will be summarised using mean differences, 95% CIs and p values.

This study has been approved by the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee (2023/ETH00296). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.

This study has been registered prospectively in the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12623000341628).