Balloon tamponade of the pharynx in transnasophenoidal operations: technical note.

ABSTRACT

The authors present a new technique for tamponade of the nasopharynx after the performance of a transnasophenoidal approach to the hypophysis. This technique consists of placing a Foley balloon catheter in each nasal cavity, extending to the nasopharynx. The position of the balloons and the adequacy of the amount of radiopaque substance used to fill them is determined with x-ray films or a television image intensifier. Among the advantages of the method over tamponade with Vaseline-covered gauze are (a) better tamponade; (b) the possibility of testing the position and volume of tamponade; (c) the absence of trauma to the nasopharyngeal mucosa upon removal of the catheters after deflation of the balloons; (d) the availability of two airways for respiration in addition to the mouth; and (e) the absence of blood gas alterations and infections.