Summary
A patient with recurrent intestinal obstruction and jejunocutaneous fistula was referred for treatment of the latter condition. Management with total parenteral nutrition was complicated by bacteremia. Subsequently, a double-lumen tube was passed via an existing gastrostomy for purposes of aspirating above the level of the fistula and infusing approapriate nutrients and fluids distally. A period of marked clinical improvement was followed by increased fistula output and evidence of intestinal obstruction secondary to gaseous distention of a sealed latex terminal balloon which was retrieved only after percutaneous puncture. The unusual complication of prolonged intestinal intubation is discussed with special reference to this nonsurgical method of managing the impacted balloon and tube. Factors affecting balloon distention are discussed and the necessity of venting intestinal balloons reemphasized.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cantor MO: Intestinal Intubation. Springfield, Illinois, Charles C Thomas, 1949, pp 188–194, 243–263
Cantor MO, Reynolds RP: Gastro-Intestinal Obstruction. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, 1957
Cantor MO, Acker E, Scharf A, Foster K: Effect of variation in length of decompression tube upon bowel wall: Clinical and laboratory study. Am J Surg 82:697–702, 1951
Harris FI: Intestinal intubation in bowel obstruction: Technique with a new single lumen mercury weighted tube. Surg Gynecol Obstet 81:671–678, 1945
Harris FI, Gordon M: Intestinal intubation in small bowel distention and obstruction: Further experiences with the single lumen mercury weighted tube and analysis of complications. Surg Gynecol Obstet 86:647–658, 1948
Rozanski J, Kleinfeld M: A complication of prolonged intestinal intubation: Gaseous distention of the terminal balloon. Am J Dig Dis 20:1067–1070, 1975
Fricke FJ, Niewodowski MA:, Hazardous gaseous distention of intestinal balloons. JAMA 235:2611–2613, 1976
McClelland RN, Jones RC, Perry MO, Shires GT, Thal ER: Abdominal trauma. Principles of Surgery, 2nd ed. SI Schwartz (ed) New York, McGraw-Hill, 1974, pp 220–237
Drapanas T, McDonald J: Peritoneal tap in abdominal trauma. Surgery 50:742–746, 1961
Moretz WH, Erickson WG: Peritoneal tap as an aid in the diagnosis of acute abdominal disease. Am Surg 20:363–377, 1954
Giacobine JW, Siler VE: Evaluation of diagnostic abdominal paracentesis with experimental and clinical studies. Surg Gynecol Obstet 110:676–686, 1960
Thompson CT, Brown DR: Diagnostic paracentesis in the acute abdomen. Surgery 35:916–919, 1954
Wangensteen OH: Intestinal Obstructions, 2nd ed. Springfield, Illinois, Charles C Thomas, 1942
Smith EH, Bartrum RJ Jr, Chang YC, D'Orsi CJ, Lokich J, Abbruzzese A, Dantono J: Percutaneous aspiration biopsy of the pancreas under ultrasonic guidance. N Engl J Med 292:825–828, 1975
Moore HG Jr, Fletcher TL, Taylor ME, Harkins HN: A hazard in the use of the intestinal tube balloon: A case report. Ann Surg 137:565–568, 1953
Carlson DH, Slover WP: Radiographic detection of intestinal obstruction from a distended Kaslow tube. J Can Assoc Radiol 22:30–32, 1971
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coleman, S.L., Miller, W.E., Stroehlein, J.R. et al. Nonoperative retrieval of an impacted long intestinal tube. Digest Dis Sci 22, 462–464 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01071896
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01071896