Knot formation in a long tube used in the treatment of a post-operative adhesive small bowel obstruction.

The complications specific to the management of the nasointestinal long tubes for small bowel obstruction are not generally appreciated. We report here of a case of knot formation of the long tube which was inserted for a 60 year-old male. Because it was difficult to place the tube in the distal stomach despite frequent changes in patient position, two coiled loops were noted at the fornix as the tip of the tube reached the antrum. The tube was gently removed without injury to the esophagus or stomach under fluoroscopic control. This case illustrates that when a long tube is used, the formation of multiple coils in the stomach should be avoided during placement to prevent knotting. Furthermore, a knotted tube can be gently removed non-operatively without esophageal injury. A short tube may be superior to a long tube because most of the complications can be avoided.