A Replogle tube is a medical device used in the treatment of babies with oesophageal atresia. It is a double-lumen tube which is inserted through the baby's nostril into the blind-ending oesophageal pouch and used to drain saliva. This avoids secretions overflowing into the trachea (windpipe) and causing problems such as aspiration pneumonia.
Replogle tubes are flushed regularly with saline to help remove secretions.
Normally, a Replogle tube is used only for hours or days while the baby awaits surgery, but in cases where surgery has to be delayed a Replogle may be needed for weeks or even months.
References
Replogle tube Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA