This ASG video tip is sponsored by Braintree, maker of the newly approved Soufflave and Soutab. This video will discuss placement of a Minnesota tube. The devices needed are the Minnesota tube itself, which is stocked in the gastroenterology endoscopy lab. It also can be acquired in the intensive care unit. At least one 60cc syringe, lockable clamp, and then a Lopez valve, which is in the endoscopy lab. The tube itself has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end has two balloons, a gastric balloon and an esophageal balloon. It's important to note the difference between this tube and a Blakemore tube is that not only is there gastric aspiration, but there's a port to aspirate the esophagus proximal to the esophageal balloon. Two additional areas include a port for inflation of the esophageal balloon and a port for inflation of the gastric balloon. For the sake of this demonstration and in most patients, inflation of the gastric balloon only will be demonstrated. The first step will be testing the integrity of the gastric balloon by inflation. The plastic stopper is removed and there are two methods for asking for inflation of the gastric balloon. Air is retained in the gastric balloon by either using clamps or using the Lopez valve. The clamp will be demonstrated first. The syringe is inserted into the port of the stomach balloon and is inflated. To prevent loss of air, the clamp may be placed over the port and the process is repeated. The Lopez valve is an alternative. As this valve is placed into the gastric port, inflation of air into the gastric valve is accomplished by opening the valve by rotating the wheel so that the off position is to the most proximal end. Air is inflated and then off to the gastric port side. The process is repeated with the esophageal balloon. If the esophageal balloon is not to be used for this particular patient, then the esophageal balloon is completely deflated. The valve remains closed to prevent leakage of air. Before the Minnesota tube is ready to be inserted into a patient, the gastric balloon, once integrity is tested, is completely deflated. After the balloons are deflated, the tube is ready to be inserted into a patient. A well-lubricated balloon is passed transorally so that the tip is into the stomach. Then the gastric balloon is inflated in the technique using the Lopez valve or clamps described previously. The volume of air inserted into the balloon is listed in the instruction manual for the

Braintree

Minnesota tube

gastric balloon

esophageal balloon

inflation