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.CONCLUSION: Balloon-inflated feeding tubes can cause bowel obstruction.
Aged Aged, 80 and over