Wangensteen apparatus /wang″ənstēn/ [Owen H. Wangensteen, American surgeon, 1898–1981; L, ad + parare, to prepare] , a nasogastroduodenal catheter and suction apparatus used for constant gentle drainage and decompression of the stomach or duodenum. It may be used to relieve abdominal distension that often occurs after surgery or that may complicate a GI disorder, especially an intestinal obstruction. See also Wangensteen tube.
