Hazardous gaseous distention of intestinal ballons

Three cases of inadvertent inflation of balloons used to advance intestinal tubes have occurred in one hospital in the past 18 months. Two postoperative patients had Dennis tubes in the small bowel, in which the balloon vent became obstructed. The third patient had a sealed, mercury-filled finger cot weighting a feeder catheter used for enteral alimentation; after one week, the balloon rapidly inflated, causing intestinal obstruction at the level of the duodenum.