N A Yassa1. 1. Norris Cancer Hospital, University of Southern California, USA. yassa@hsc.usc.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether balloon-inflated feeding tubes may be a cause of bowel obstruction. METHODS: Evaluation of 10 patients with balloon-inflated feeding tubes who experienced cramping, nausea and vomiting. Conventional radiography of the abdomen was performed in all patients, a fluoroscopic barium examination in 6 patients, and computed tomographic scanning of the abdomen and pelvis in 4 patients. RESULTS: All patients had a bowel obstruction caused by the inflated balloon. Deflating the balloon relieved the obstructive symptoms immediately. CONCLUSION: Balloon-inflated feeding tubes can cause bowel obstruction.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether balloon-inflated feeding tubes may be a cause of bowel obstruction. METHODS: Evaluation of 10 patients with balloon-inflated feeding tubes who experienced cramping, nausea and vomiting. Conventional radiography of the abdomen was performed in all patients, a fluoroscopic barium examination in 6 patients, and computed tomographic scanning of the abdomen and pelvis in 4 patients. RESULTS: All patients had a bowel obstruction caused by the inflated balloon. Deflating the balloon relieved the obstructive symptoms immediately. CONCLUSION: Balloon-inflated feeding tubes can cause bowel obstruction.