Podcast 1026: Esophageal Balloon Tamponade Devices

Contributor: Jeffrey Olson, MD

Educational Pearls:

What are they?

A flexible balloon and suction tube that we insert into the esophagus and into the stomach to stop bleeding.

When to use?

Typically used for variceal bleeding. Use whenever the patient is too unstable to be transferred to more definitive therapy.

What are the different types?

Linton - Nachlas Tube

Single gastric balloon with a suction port for the stomach and sometimes a suction port for the esophagus.

Sengstaken - Blakemore Tube

Gastric balloon and esophageal balloon with only a gastric suction port

Minnesota Tube