Lethal esophageal rupture following treatment with Sengstaken-Blakemore tube in management of variceal bleeding: a 10-year autopsy study.
We report six cases of lethal esophageal rupture following treatment with Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube in management of acute variceal bleeding. Esophageal rupture is a known complication to SB tube treatment which unfortunately often is a result of iatrogenic misplacement of the tube. Our report indicates that despite additional guidelines to verify correct placement and new promising treatment modalities, lethal esophageal rupture still occurs. For a proper evaluation of potential malpractice cases we find it important for forensic pathologists to have knowledge of procedures and complications to treatment with SB tube.
Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus University, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. tsn@retsmedicin.au.dk
Trine Skov
TS
Nielsen
Annie Vesterby
AV
Charles
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000628:therapy*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015905:Gastric Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture / Q000209:etiology