Double Balloon Rectal Catheter a.k.a. Cephus Catheter

A barium enema is a radiographic (X-ray) examination of the lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The large intestine, including the rectum, is made visible on X-ray film by filling the colon with a liquid suspension called barium sulfate (barium) or water soluble contrast agent. This study is used for colon cancer screening, evaluation of stricture (narrowing to the hole in the bowel), leak at the site of surgery. Barium enema is used to evaluate ulcerative colitis, crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, obstructions, and growth.

With this study, a catheter is needed to prevent the contrast agent from leaking out through the anal canal. Since the Cephus Catheter is the only double balloon colorectal catheter available for use on patients, it will provide an optimal outcome.

A CT scan or computed tomography scan is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to get detailed images of the body noninvasively for diagnostic purposes.

A CT (computerized tomography) enema scan is a test to look at your large bowel.

• Low Anterior Resection Surgery (LAR) – LAR is a common treatment for rectal cancer when the cancer is located well above the anus.
• Large bowel resection – A portion of the large bowel (colon) is removed because of cancer, stricture, necrosis, or other medical conditions.

With all the mentioned conditions above, a rectal seal is required to achieve the appropriate imaging to identify any signs of early problem. The Cephus Catheter solves the problem with creating an optimal rectal seal.

LAR evaluation was difficult to obtain adequate evaluation because a balloon could not be inflated in the rectum due to the risk of disrupting the area of surgery. However, with the Cephus Catheter, the proximal balloon can be inflated and seal the anal canal from the outside and provide an excellent evaluation of the surgical bed with no risk of disrupting the anastomosis.

Intussusception is the one of the commonest cause of intestinal obstruction requiring urgent attention in neonatal and early childhood. Ileocolic intussusception in which the ileum (small bowel) telescopes into the colon (large bowel) is the commonest variety. If left undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and untreated, it may turn fatal due to gangrene and sloughing off of ileum leading to perforation peritonitis. Ultrasound is used to diagnose intussusception.

An airtight rectal seal is required to improve the success rate and decrease procedure time. The Cephus Catheter is the only double balloon colorectal catheter available for clinical use. The catheter’s two balloons create an airtight seal around the anal canal. The Cephus Catheter has been successful in reducing intussusception with less procedure time.

A fistulagram uses a form of real-time x-ray called fluoroscopy and a barium-based contrast material to produce images of an abnormal passage within the body called a fistula. A sinogram is a similar procedure done to assess a sinus, an abnormal passage or cavity that originates or ends in one opening, often on the skin. Contrast material is used to help identify the start of the fistula/sinus, its pathway and what organs are involved.

The Cephus Catheter creates a seal at the opening of the fistula, which allow contrast material to be injected under pressure to identify the entire tract.

Mucous Fistula Refeed is a procedure where content is removed from the proximal loop of the ostomy and infused into the distal loop. The content is infused over a period of time. In order to achieve that best results, a seal need to be created around the ostomy.

The Cephus Catheter will provide this seal by inflating the distal balloon within the bowel and inflating the proximal balloon on the outside of the ostomy. This will hold the catheter in place and also create a seal. The content can be infused without creating a mess.