Does cooling Sengstaken-Blakemore tubes aid insertion?
Department of Medicine, Chase Farm Hospital, The Ridgeway, Enfield, Middlesex, UK. janet.dearden@doctors.org.uk OBJECTIVE: To survey current clinical practice concerning the use of Sengstaken-Blakemore (SB) tubes and to determine whether cooling the tubes alters their stiffness. METHODS: A telephone questionnaire was conducted of gastroenterology registrars and ITU departments in the North Thames region. The current clinical practice for insertion of SB tubes and the basis for this practice were determined in each case. The stiffness of the tubes was measured at -10 degrees C and 20 degrees C by measuring the extension (in mm) resulting from an applied load (in newtons). The time for tube warming from -30 degrees C when in stationary air and when in contact with skin was also recorded. RESULTS: Fifty registrars were contacted and 20 ITU departments were surveyed. All ITU departments involved the gastroenterologists in the management of acute variceal bleeds. Eight registrars had never
