Sengstaken-Blakemore Tube

The Sengstaken-Blakemore tube is a medical device used to control bleeding in the esophagus due to conditions like variceal hemorrhage, often related to liver disease. It is a long, flexible tube with inflatable balloons at one end. The tube is inserted through the nose or mouth into the stomach, and the balloons are inflated to apply pressure against the bleeding vessels, helping to stop the flow of blood. This emergency procedure can be life-saving, but it is typically temporary, as further treatment is often needed to address the underlying cause.