a double-channel intestinal tube with an inflatable balloon at its distal end, used for diagnosing and treating obstructive lesions of the small intestine. The tube is inserted via a nostril and gently passed through the stomach and into the small intestine.
The Miller-Abbott tube is often used in the treatment of
intestinal obstruction. Care must be used in irrigating the tube and in attaching it to a suction apparatus because of the possibility of confusing the two lumina. The lumen marked “suction” is used for irrigations and suction; the other lumen leads to the small rubber bag intended to hold the tube in place. The introduction of too large an amount of fluid into the bag could lead to rupture of the intestine.