Severe therapy-associated complications have been described only sporadically to date. Possible risks include bleeding due to vascular erosion and the formation of an esophagobronchial fistula.
Minor issues are more of a technical nature:
- Sponge dislocation orally due to accidental pulling on the drainage tube
- partial blockage of the sponge resulting in insufficient suction effect
- detachment of the sponge from the drainage tube during system change; extraction using an endoscopic grasping forceps
Tip: Before an elective sponge change, the suction should be turned off for a few hours to facilitate easier sponge extraction.