A Hazard in the Use of the Intestinal Tube Balloon

Hyperbaric therapy for the removal of an obstructing intestinal tube balloon

“…Diffusion of gases through the walls of the rubber bag, which acts as a semipermeable membrane, is thought to take place [6,10,12,15]. The level of intramural pressure driving gas into the balloon as well as the solubility and diffusibility of the gas in rubber, the surface area of the balloon wall, and the duration of exposure of the balloon to gas are all significant factors affecting distention [6,12].…”

“…Spectrometric analysis by Moore showed the balloon's content to be 77% nitrogen, 19% oxygen, 2.5% carbon dioxide, and 0.9% argon. The analysis, however, was performed after the balloon was left exposed to air for 6 days [10]. Chromatographic analysis of balloon gas by Fricke showed the gas to be atmospheric air [6].…”

“…Balloon distention has been reported associated with both double-and single-lumen tubes by Cantor [1,7,10], Kaslow [2,4,8], Harris [9,10], Dennis [6], Miller Abbott [11], and impromised tubes [3,5]. Double-lumen tubes have a second lumen incorporated in the wall of the tube that acts as a balloon vent.…”

“…Since Cantor first described the phenomenon of balloon distention of the terminal portion of intestinal tubes in 1949, at least 19 cases of small bowel obstruction caused by balloon distention have been reported in the literature [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. In the past, surgical laparotomy and enterostomy have been the methods of choice for the removal of the impacted balloon [1,7,8,11,13].…”