Iatrogenic bowel obstruction caused by balloon-inflated feeding tubes.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Balloon-inflated feeding tubes can cause bowel obstruction.
Yassa
N A
NA
Norris Cancer Hospital, University of Southern California, USA. yassa@hsc.usc.edu
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography