Placement of a radiopaque polyurethane esophagostomy tube in a yellow-footed tortoise (Chelonoidis denticulatus) using MILA’s tunneler device

Benefits of the MILA esophagostomy tube system in chelonians include the use of polyurethane tubes and the tunneler device. MILA's polyurethane tubes are preferred because of their radiopaque stripe, large luminal diameter, increased flexibility, and long-term biocompatibility, decreasing the risk of placement errors and esophageal injury. The increased length and small diameter of the tunneler device (compared to a Carmalt) allow for ease of placement with chelonian anatomy. These qualities may mitigate commonly observed risks to chelonians such as displacement and obstruction of esophagostomy tubes, gastrointestinal perforation, hemorrhage, and tube site infections.