Korean J Crit Care Med.  2014 Aug;29(3):237-240. 10.4266/kjccm.2014.29.3.237.

Successful Bridging Hemostasis Using a Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube in Massive Rectal Variceal Bleeding

• Kim KS
• Suh GJ
• Kwon WY

• KMID: 1892261
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2014.29.3.237

Abstract

Life-threatening rectal variceal bleeding is a rare complication of liver cirrhosis. Various therapeutic interventions including endoscopic variceal ligation and percutaneous transvenous obliteration have been proposed to control significant rectal variceal bleeding. However, these definite hemostasis modalities are not readily available and require an experienced endoscopist or interventional radiologist. Therefore, bridging therapy to control active bleeding is necessary especially in patients with massive bleeding. We report a case of massive rectal variceal bleeding in which a Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was effective at stopping the bleeding until percutaneous transvenous obliteration could be performed.

Keyword

gastrointestinal hemorrhage; hemostasis; hypertension, portal; liver cirrhosis

MeSH Terms

Esophageal and Gastric Varices*
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Hemorrhage
Hemostasis*
Humans
Hypertension, Portal
Ligation
Liver Cirrhosis