Early detection of incorrect siting of Procter-Livingstone tube by fibre-optic endoscopy.
Forty patients undergoing intubation with a Procter-Livingstone tube for oesophageal neoplasm were checked by gastroscope for correctness of placement. An end-viewing fibre-optic scope was passed through the rigid oesophagoscope, through the Procter-Livingstone tube and onwards into whatever structure lay beyond. Oesophageal perforation occurred in 6 patients and immediate salvage operations resulted in 4 surviving. Reduced hospital mortality and educational feedback for the operator were the major advantages.
Sammon
A M
AM
Department of Surgery, Umtata General Hospital, Transkei.
Cotton
M H
MH
D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*