Hazards Attending the Use of Esophageal Tamponade

Abstract

THE Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is widely used in the management of hemorrhage from esophageal varices.^{1 2 3} Several authors have mentioned specific complications encountered during the use of esophageal tamponade.^{2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9} These have ranged from difficulty in insertion of the tube⁵ to fatal obstruction of the airway.^{4 , 6} Others have noted mechanical defects of the apparatus,⁴ mucosal ulcerations of the esophagus and nose^{2 , 3 , 6 7 8 9} and aspiration pneumonia.^{2 , 8} Although one publication has been devoted solely to a discussion of these complications,⁶ it is generally believed that these difficulties are not common.Experience with the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube at the Grace-New Haven Community Hospital suggested that these complications are . . .