what is gastric decompression
Initiating gastric decompression. Intermittent suction provides alternating periods of gastric-tube suction force followed by a release of suction, which reduces the risk of mucosal erosion. In contrast, continuous suction is the application of suction force without interruption. Intermittent suction is used for most tubes due to the risk of mucosal damage. The exception is the gastric sump tube.