An unusual complication of balloon tamponade in the treatment of esophageal varices: a case report and brief review of the literature.

A Sengstaken-Blakemore tube was unable to be withdrawn 14 h after its initial insertion. Despite a number of recognized maneuvers, both gastric and esophageal balloons remained inflated leading to impaction of the tube. This uncommon complication along with other complications peculiar to the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube are described.