The Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is used for temporising control of acute variceal haemorrhage. Which of the following correctly describes its balloon configuration?

• A A single balloon that compresses both the oesophageal and gastric varices
• B A three-balloon system with a duodenal, gastric, and oesophageal balloon
• C An oesophageal balloon only, passed via nasogastric route and inflated at 50 mmHg
• D Two balloons — a gastric balloon (inflated to anchor in the stomach) and an oesophageal balloon (inflated to compress oesophageal varices) — plus two lumens for aspiration ✓

Explanation

The Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tube has two balloons: a gastric balloon (inflated with 250–300 mL air, then pulled back to anchor at the gastro-oesophageal junction and compress gastric cardia varices) and an oesophageal balloon (inflated to 25–35 mmHg to compress oesophageal varices). The standard SB tube has three lumens (gastric aspiration, gastric balloon, oesophageal balloon); the Minnesota modification adds a fourth oesophageal aspiration lumen. It is a temporising measure until definitive endoscopic or TIPS therapy can be performed.

Reference: Bailey & Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.