A Miller–Abbott tube is a tube used to treat obstructions in the small intestine

Small intestine

The small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach and followed by the large intestine, and is where much of the digestion and absorption of food takes place. In invertebrates such as worms, the terms "gastrointestinal tract" and "large intestine" are often used to...

 through intubation

Intubation

Tracheal intubation, usually simply referred to as intubation, is the placement of a flexible plastic or rubber tube into the trachea to maintain an open airway or to serve as a conduit through which to administer certain drugs...

. It was developed in 1934 by William Osler Abbott

William Osler Abbott

William Osler Abbott was a United States physician, son of Dr. Alexander C. Abbott and Georgina Osler. His most notable contribution to the field of medicine was his part in the development of the Miller-Abbott tube, used in decompression and stenting of the small intestine, alongside Thomas...

 and Thomas Grier Miller. The device is around 3 metres (9.8 ft) long and has a distal balloon at one end. It is made up of two tubes, one for inflating the ballon when in the duodenum

Duodenum

The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine in most higher vertebrates, including mammals, reptiles, and birds. In fish, the divisions of the small intestine are not as clear and the terms anterior intestine or proximal intestine may be used instead of duodenum...

 and one for the passage of water. While inserted, barium

Barium

Barium is a chemical element with the symbol Ba and atomic number 56. It is the fifth element in Group 2, a soft silvery metallic alkaline earth metal. Barium is never found in nature in its pure form due to its reactivity with air. Its oxide is historically known as baryta but it reacts with...

 can be passed through them, and this, alongside radiography, can provide diagnostic information regarding a lesion. A mercury-filled bag has been used with these tubes to assist with decompression of an obstructed intestine, although there are recorded cases of these rupturing and sometimes causing mercury poisoning

Mercury poisoning

Mercury poisoning is a disease caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Mercury is a heavy metal occurring in several forms, all of which can produce toxic effects in high enough doses...

.