Novel Use of a Minnesota Tube for Enteral Feeding in a Critically Ill Patient With Gastroesophageal Bleeding

Abstract

Balloon tamponade of bleeding varices is a temporizing measure acting as a bridge for the treatment of massive gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage. After treatment, utilization of a gastric tube for feeding is challenging due to the risk of variceal rebleeding during placement. No literature to date has explored the use of the suction ports of a tamponade device as an alternative form of enteral access for medication and feeding administration in critically ill patients. We report a case of the novel use of a Minnesota tube for enteral feeds and medication administration in a critically ill patient awaiting liver transplantation after massive upper GI bleeding.

Keywords: balloon tamponade; blakemore tube; enteral nutrition; gastric balloon; hemorrhagic shock; liver transplantation; massive upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage; minnesota tube; septic shock.