The Sengstaken tube must maintain a pressure of ...... to stop bleeding from varices:: (A) 20 mm Hg, (B) 25 mm Hg, (C) 35 mm Hg, (D) 45 mm Hg
Answer is C. Sengstaken tube - have 2 balloon 1)Gastric balloon 2)Esophageal balloon It is triple lumen; double ballooned tube. It is used mainly during transpoation of patient. Total amount of air inseed in gastric balloon = 50 + 250 ml (min air) =300 ml Maximum pressure exeed by esophageal balloon = 35-40 mm of Hg Every 12 hrs the esophageal balloon has to be deflated to prevent Ischemia & necrosis of the esophagus.