Enteroscopy

Until the end of the 20th century, push enteroscopy (PE) was the most commonly used method for the endoscopic investigation of the small bowel. However, PE has been almost completely replaced by double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Undoubtedly the major endoscopic breakthrough of the last decade, DBE has contributed to the better diagnosis and understanding of diseases of the small bowel, opening-up this obscure part of the gastrointestinal tract to visualisation. Modern diagnostic and therapeutic DBE allows for a deeper and more thorough evaluation of the small bowel than PE, enabling the detection of more pathological lesions. In addition, DBE has for the first time enabled endoscopists to observe the entire small intestine, and has provided endoscopic interventions such as cauterisation of bleeding lesions, polypectomy, placement of small bowel stents, and foreign-body extraction.     

How to approach the small bowel with flexible enteroscopy

Nowadays, 5 nonsurgical flexible endoscopic techniques are available for small bowel endoscopy: push enteroscopy (PE), balloon-assisted enteroscopy using 2 balloons (double-balloon enteroscopy [DBE]) or 1 balloon (single-balloon enteroscopy [SBE]), balloon-guided enteroscopy (BGE), and spiral enteroscopy (SE). PE is a cost-saving, easy, and fast procedure for the examination of the proximal jejunum, but for a deep small bowel endoscopy, the other flexible enteroscopic techniques are required. BGE does not play a considerable role in deep small bowel endoscopy. DBE is the oldest flexible enteroscopic technique. Actually, the balloon-assisted enteroscopy (BAE) techniques with one balloon (SBE) or two balloons (DBE) are the mainly used techniques. DBE has become established throughout the world for diagnostic and therapeutic examinations of the small bowel and is now used universally in clinical routine work. DBE is still regarded as the gold standard nonsurgical procedure for deep small bowel endoscopy, because it provides the highest rates of complete enteroscopy, which becomes increasingly useful. The recently introduced SE technique represents a promising method but still needs technical improvement. Larger prospective studies on SE and prospective studies comparing the 3 systems (DBE, SBE, SE) are awaited before conclusive assessments can be made.     

Examining the whole bowel,double balloon enteroscopy: Indications,diagnostic yield and complications

Double balloon enteroscopy(DBE) is an advanced type of endoscopic procedure which brings the advantage of reaching the whole small bowel using anterograde or the retrograde route. This procedure is both diagnostic and interventional for a variety of small intestinal diseases, such as vascular lesions, tumors, polyps and involvement of inflammatory bowel diseases.Main indication is the diagnosis and treatment of mid-gastrointestinal bleeding according to the recent published data all over the world. The complication rates seem to be higher than conventional procedures but growing experience is lowering them and improving the procedure to be safe and well tolerated. This review is about the technique, indications, diagnostic importance and complications of DBE according to the literature growing since 2001.     

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SMALL BOWEL DISEASES WITH A NEWLY DEVELOPED SINGLE BALLOON ENDOSCOPE

Background: Recent advances in capsule endoscopy (CE) and double balloon endoscopy (DBE) have enabled an endoscopic approach to small bowel diseases. However, CE is simply a diagnostic tool and DBE is fairly complicated to handle. Methods: We developed a single balloon endoscopy (SBE) in cooperation with Olympus Medical Systems. The single balloon enteroscope consists of an endoscope and a splinting tube. In this system, a balloon is attached to the splinting tube, but not to the scope itself. The single‐person insertion method was effective for SBE cases, but two persons were needed for DBE. The patients we examined had undergone upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and were suspected of having small intestinal diseases. We examined a total of 30 cases (nine women, 21 men; range 19–78 years), and carried out a total of 48 examinations. Results: In fifteen cases, the cause of bleeding was diagnosed as either ulcer, angiodysplasia, Crohn's disease, inflammatory polyp, or metastatic cancer, but in eight cases, the cause was not identified. Four obstruction cases comprised ulcers, adhesion, and jejunal volvulus. For treatment, clippings were performed for bleeding in three patients, polypectomy for two, reversal of volvulus for one, and balloon dilation for ilial stenosis in one. The entire small intestine was observed in 71% of patients when the intention was to examine the whole bowel. No complications were encountered. Conclusions: The newly developed SBE is useful for diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases.     

Comparison between double-balloon and single-balloon enteroscopy in therapeutic ERC after Roux-en-Y entero-enteric anastomosis

AIM: To compare the efficacy of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) in therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in patients with Roux-en-Y entero-enteric anastomosis.METHODS: Retrospective analysis of our patient cohort revealed 4 patients with enterobiliary anastomosis and Roux-en-Y entero-enteric anastomosis who underwent repeated ERC with DBE and SBE because of recurrent cholangitis.RESULTS: A total of 38 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures were performed in 25 patients with Roux-en-Y entero-enteric anastomosis. DBE was used in 29 procedures and SBE in 9. The 4 patients who underwent repeated ERC with DBE and SBE suffered from recurrent cholangitis due to stenosis of the enterobiliary anastomosis. ERC was performed repeatedly to achieve balloon dilation with/without biliary stone extraction and multiple stent placement at the level of the enterobiliary anastomosis. In all 4 patients DBE and SBE were equally successful. Compared to DBE, SBE was equally effective in passing the Roux-en-Y entero-enteric anastomosis, reaching the enterobiliary anastomosis and performing therapeutic ERC.CONCLUSION: This retrospective comparison shows that DBE and SBE are equally successful in the performance of therapeutic ERC at the level of the enterobiliary anastomosis after Roux-en-Y entero-enteric anastomosis.     

Device-assisted enteroscopy: A review of available techniques and upcoming new technologies

The advent of video capsule endoscopy into clinical routine more than 15 years ago led to a substantial change in the diagnostic approach to patients with suspected small bowel diseases, often indicating a deep enteroscopy procedure for diagnostical confirmation or endoscopic treatment. Device assisted enteroscopy was developed in 2001 and for the first time established a practicable, safe and effective method for evaluation of the small bowel.Currently with double-balloon enteroscopy, single-balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy three different platforms are available in clinical routine.Summarizing, double-balloon enteroscopy seems to offer the deepest insertion depth to the small bowel going hand in hand with the disadvantage of a longer procedural duration. Manual spiral enteroscopy seems to be a faster procedure but without reaching the depth of the DBE in currently available data. Finally,single-balloon enteroscopy seems to be the least complicated procedure to perform. Despite substantial improvements in the field of direct enteroscopy,even nowadays deep endoscopic access to the small bowel with all available methods is still a complex procedure, cumbersome and time-consuming and requires high endoscopic skills. This review will give an overview of the currently available techniques and will further discuss the role of the upcoming new technology of the motorized spiral enteroscopy(PowerSpiral).     

Diagnostic yield and therapeutic impact of single-balloon enteroscopy: Series of 106 cases

Background and Aim:  Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is a novel method of balloon assisted enteroscopy which allows deep intubation of intestine and has therapeutic potential. This prospective study was done in a tertiary care center to evaluate the feasibility, complications, diagnostic and therapeutic yield of SBE in patients with suspected small bowel disorders.
Methods:  One hundred and six patients (mean age 40.1 years, range 12–76 years, 65 men) with suspected small bowel diseases underwent 131 SBE procedures between February 2007 and July 2008.
Results:  Indications for SBE included obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) (40), chronic abdominal pain with abnormal imaging studies (34), chronic diarrhea (20), polyposis syndromes (11) and foreign body (1).The mean insertion depth was 255.8 ± 84.5 cm beyond the duodenojejunal flexure by the oral route and 163 ± 59.3 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve by the per anal approach. The mean duration of the procedure for antegrade and retrograde enteroscopy was 65.9 ± 19.5 min and 72.3 ± 18.3 min, respectively. Pan-enteroscopy was possible in 25% of cases (five of 20 cases in which total enteroscopy was attempted). Diagnostic yields in cases of OGIB, chronic abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea were 60%, 65% and 55%, respectively. Overall new diagnosis was established in 46% and the extent of known disease was assessed in 15% of cases. In 21% of patients, therapeutic interventions were carried out while surgical treatment was directed to 8.4% of the patients. No major complications were observed.
Conclusion:  SBE is well tolerated and has good diagnostic yield, having a similar yield to previous double-balloon enteroscopy reports.     

Enteroscopy in small bowel Crohn’s disease: A review

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in inflammation, stricturing and fistulae secondary to transmural inflammation. Diagnosis relies on clinical history, abnormal laboratory parameters, characteristic radiologic and endoscopic changes within the gastrointestinal tract and most importantly a supportive histology. The article is intended mainly for the general gastroenterologist and for other interested physicians. Management of small bowel CD has been suboptimal and limited due to the inaccessibility of the small bowel. Enteroscopy has had a significant renaissance recently, thereby extending the reach of the endoscopist, aiding diagnosis and enabling therapeutic interventions in the small bowel. Radiologic imaging is used as the first line modality to visualise the small bowel. If the clinical suspicion is high, wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is used to rule out superficial and early disease, despite the above investigations being normal. This is followed by push enteroscopy or device assisted enteroscopy (DAE) as is appropriate. This approach has been found to be the most cost effective and least invasive. DAE includes balloon-assisted enteroscopy, [double balloon enteroscopy (DBE), single balloon enteroscopy (SBE) and more recently spiral enteroscopy (SE)]. This review is not going to cover the various other indications of enteroscopy, radiological small bowel investigations nor WCE and limited only to enteroscopy in small bowel Crohn’s. These excluded topics already have comprehensive reviews. Evidence available from randomized controlled trials comparing the various modalities is limited and at best regarded as Grade C or D (based on expert opinion). The evidence suggests that all three DAE modalities have comparable insertion depths, diagnostic and therapeutic efficacies and complication rates, though most favour DBE due to higher rates of total enteroscopy. SE is quicker than DBE, but lower complete enteroscopy rates. SBE has quicker procedural times and is evolving but the least available DAE today. Larger prospective randomised controlled trial’s in the future could help us understand some unanswered areas including the role of BAE in small bowel screening and comparative studies between the main types of enteroscopy in small bowel CD.     

胶囊内镜指导双气囊内镜进镜方式的临床研究

目的评估小肠疾病诊治中胶囊内镜（CE）对双气囊内镜（DBE）进镜方式的预测作用。方法将CE完成全小肠检查且其诊断经DBE证实者纳入研究。CE检出病灶的部位以时间指数（胶囊从幽门至病灶的通过时间占胶囊从幽门至回盲瓣通过时间的比例）表示,根据以往回顾性分析的结果采用0．6作为时间指数的临界值,时间指数不超过0．6时选择经口DBE检查,反之选择经肛检查。对最终结果进行统计学分析,评估根据病灶部位cE时间指数选择DBE进镜方式的准确性。结果最终共60例患者CE完成全小肠检查且其诊断经DBE证实而纳入研究。共行60例次DBE检查,包括41例经口和19例经肛检查,所有患者CE检出病灶均经首次DBE检查证实。对所得结果进行统计显示,根据cE时间指数临界值0．6,本组患者DBE进镜方式选择的准确性为100％。结论DBE是一项有效地证实CE诊断的方法,在cE完成全小肠检查者中根据CE时间指数能够准确判断DBE的进镜方式。     

单气囊小肠镜在小肠疾病诊断中的应用

目的评价单气囊小肠镜（SBE）在小肠疾病诊断中的安全性、检查范围及临床价值。方法对2009年6月至9月间行SBE检查的疑有小肠疾病患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,总结检查完成情况、操作时间以及并发症发生情况等。结果30例患者共行35例次SBE检查。单纯经口检查15例;单纯经肛检查10例;经口＋经肛检查5例,均完成对接检查。共26例明确诊断,疾病检出率为86．7％（26／30）。经口进镜检查平均用时49．7min,经肛进镜检查平均用时48．6min。所有患者检查过程中生命体征处于安全范围,无心脑血管并发症发生,无剧烈腹痛及出血、穿孔等并发症出现。结论SBE是一种安全、可靠的检查手段,用于诊断小肠疾病具有较好的临床价值。     

推进式双气囊电子小肠镜在小肠疾病诊断中的评估

目的 评价推进式双气囊电子小肠镜(double-balloon push enteroscopy，DBE)在小肠疾病诊断中的价值。方法 总结22例疑小肠疾病DBE检查的临床资料，上述患者均经胃镜、肠镜、X线钡餐、小肠钡剂灌肠和血管造影等检查未发现异常。结果 22例共行DBE检查26例次(15例次接受了口侧进镜，11例次接受了肛侧进镜)，每侧进镜术程平均80min。DBE检查共发现异常14例，检出率为63．6％。其中不明原因消化道出血10例，DBE检出病变6例；腹痛和(或)呕吐待查7例，DBE检出病变5例；慢性腹泻待查4例，DBE检出病变2例；不明原因不完全性肠梗阻1例，DBE检出病变1例。口侧进镜患者，术中多数出现恶心、消化液自口经外套管口溢出，偶尔出现一过性轻微腹痛；肛侧进镜患者无明显不适及反应，未出现出血、穿孔等并发症。结论 DBE作为一种新型小肠疾病检查手段，明显优于传统的检查方法，可重复直视操作下观察病灶，通过活检对病变进行定性检查，具有安全、可控性、直视和图像清晰等优点，在诊断小肠疾病方面更具有优越性。     

Diagnostic and therapeutic impact of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in a series of 100 patients with suspected small bowel diseases

BACKGROUND: Double-balloon enteroscopy is a newly developed endoscopic method allowing non-surgical full-length exploration of the small bowel, biopsies sample and endoscopic treatment of previously inaccessible lesions. AIM: To prospectively assess the diagnostic and therapeutical impact of double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with suspected or documented small bowel disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients referring to our centre for suspected small bowel disease underwent double-balloon enteroscopy. Starting insertion route (anal or oral) of double-balloon enteroscopy was chosen according to the estimated location of the suspected lesions basing on the clinical presentation and on the findings, when available, of previous endoscopic or radiological investigations. Major indications for the procedures were acute recurrent or chronic mid-gastrointestinal bleeding (n=71), suspected gastrointestinal tumours (n=10), suspected Crohn's disease (n=6), chronic abdominal pain and/or chronic diarrhoea (n=8), refractory celiac disease (n=5). RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen double-balloon enteroscopy procedures were carried out. Oral and anal route double-balloon enteroscopies were performed in 54 and 28 patients, respectively, while 18 patients underwent a combination of both approaches. Overall diagnostic yield of double-balloon enteroscopy resulted 69%. Most common pathological findings included angiodysplasias (n=39), ulcerations and erosions of various aetiologies (n=21), tumours (n=7) and ileal stenosis in patients with Crohn's disease suspicion (n=2). In the 65% of the patients examined, double-balloon enteroscopy findings influenced the subsequent clinical management (endoscopic, medical or surgical treatment). No major complications related to the procedure occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Our prospective analysis shows that double-balloon enteroscopy is a useful, safe and well-tolerated new method with a high diagnostic and therapeutic impact for the management of suspected or documented small bowel diseases.     

Single balloon enteroscopy: Technical aspects and clinical applications

The small bowel has long been considered a black box for endoscopists because of its long length and the presence of multiple complex loop. Most of the small bowel is inaccessible by traditional endoscopic means. In addition, radiographic studies have significant limitations with regard to diagnostic yield, and surgery is an invasive alternative. This limitation was overcome through the development of balloon enteroscopy that becomes established throughout the world for diagnostic and therapeutic examinations of the small bowel. The single-balloon enteroscope (SBE) system (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) was introduced into the commercial market in 2007. Several study demonstrated its efficacy and safety. Early reports on the use of singleballoon enteroscopy have suggested a high diagnostic yield and similar therapeutic potential to that of the double-balloon endoscope. SBE is viable technique for in the management of small bowel disease. Technically, it is easy to perform, may be efficient, and in the literature data available, seems to provide high diagnostic and therapeutic yield.     

Double-balloon enteroscopy in small bowel tumors: A Chinese single-center study

AIM: To analyze the clinical characteristics of small bowel tumors detected by double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and to evaluate the diagnostic value of DBE in tumors. METHODS: Four hundred and forty consecutive DBE examinations were performed in 400 patients (250 males and 150 females, mean age 46.9 ± 16.3 years, range 14-86 years) between January 2007 and April 2012. Of these, 252 patients underwent the antegrade approach, and 188 patients underwent the retrograde approach. All the patients enrolled in our study were suspected of having small bowel diseases with a negative etiological diagnosis following other routine examinations, such as upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and radiography tests. Data on tumors, such as clinical information, endoscopic findings and opera-tion results, were retrospectively collected. RESULTS: Small bowel tumors were diagnosed in 78 patients, of whom 67 were diagnosed using DBE, resulting in a diagnostic yield of 16.8% (67/400); the other 11 patients had negative DBE findings and were diagnosed through surgery or capsule endoscopy. Adenocarcinoma (29.5%, 23/78), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (24.4%, 19/78) and lymphoma (15.4%, 12/78) were the most common tumors. Among the 78 tumors, 60.3% (47/78) were located in the jejunum, and the overall number of malignant tumors was 74.4% (58/78). DBE examinations were frequently performed in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (47.4%) and abdominal pain (24.4%). The positive detection rate for DBE in the 78 patients with small bowel tumors was 85.9% (67/78), which was higher than that of a computed tomography scan (72.9%, 51/70). Based on the operation results, the accuracy rates of DBE for locating small bowel neoplasms, such as adenocarcinoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor and lymphoma, were 94.4%, 100% and 100%, respectively. The positive biopsy rates for adenocarcinoma and lymphoma were 71.4% and 60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DBE is a useful diagnostic tool with high clinical practice value and should be consider     

气囊辅助式小肠镜检查相关胰腺炎和高淀粉酶血症的临床研究

目的探讨单气囊小肠镜（SBE）、双气囊小肠镜（DBE）检查与胰腺炎、高淀粉酶血症并发症的相关性。方法连续收集2011年9月至2012年12月间56例行SBE和DBE检查患者的临床资料,按气囊辅助式小肠镜类型及进镜途径进行分组（即分成SBE经口组、SBE经肛组、DBE经口组和DBE经肛组）并整理数据,统计分析气囊辅助式小肠镜类型及进镜途径对镜检相关胰腺炎、高淀粉酶血症并发症发生率的影响。结果SBE经口组19例,发生镜检相关高淀粉酶血症12例（63．16％）、胰腺炎1例;SBE经肛组12例,发生镜检相关高淀粉酶血症2例（16．67％）,无镜检相关胰腺炎发生;DBE经口组15例,发生镜检相关高淀粉酶血症11例（73．33％）,无镜检相关胰腺炎发生;DBE经肛组10例,无镜检相关高淀粉酶血症、胰腺炎发生。术后高淀粉酶血症发生率,SBE经口组与SBE经肛组比较（P=0．009）、DBE经口组与DBE经肛组比较（P=0．001）差异均有统计学意义,而SBE经口组与DBE经口组比较（P=0．415）、SBE经肛组与DBE经肛组比较（P=0．558）差异无统计学意义。结论气囊辅助式小肠镜检查术后较易并发高淀粉酶血症,经口途径较经肛途径更易并发,而是否易发与气囊辅助式小肠镜类型无关;至于气囊辅助式小肠镜检查与术后胰腺炎的相关性,由于样本量太少,未能得出有价值的临床结论。     

Capsule endoscopy and single-balloon enteroscopy in small bowel diseases: Competing or complementary?

AIM To evaluate diagnostic yields of capsule endoscopy(CE) and/or single-balloon enteroscopy(SBE) in patients with suspected small bowel diseases.METHODS Were trospectively analyzed 700 patients with suspected small bowel diseases from September 2010 to March 2016. CE, SBE, or SBE with prior CE was performed in 401, 353, and 47 patients, respectively. Data from clinical and endoscopy records were collected for analysis. Indications, procedure times, diagnostic yields, and complications were summarized and evaluated.RESULTS The overall diagnostic yield for the CE group was 57.6%. The diagnostic yield of CE in patients with obscure gastroin testinal bleeding(OGIB) was significantly greater than that in patients with no bleeding(70.5% vs 43.8%, P 0.01). The overall diagnostic yield of SBE was 69.7%. There was no difference in the diagnostic yield of SBE between patients with OGIB and those with no bleeding(72.5% vs 68.9%, P = 0.534). Forty-seven patients underwent CE prior to SBE. Among them, the diagnostic yield of SBE with positive findings on prior CE was 93.3%. In addition, SBE detected two cases with superficial ulcer and erosive lesions in the small bowel, which were missed by CE. However, one case with lymphoma and two with Crohn's disease were not confirmed by SBE. The rate of capsule retention was 2.0%. There were no significant complications during or after SBE examinations.CONCLUSION SBE is a safe and effective technique for diagnosing small bowel diseases. SBE with prior CE seemed to improve the diagnostic yield of small bowel diseases.     

Conservative approach in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: Single-balloon enteroscopy and small bowel polypectomy

AIM: To assess the usefulness of the balloon assisted enteroscopy in preventing surgical intervention in pa-tients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) having a small bowel large polyps. METHODS: Seven consecutive asymptomatic pts(age 15-38 years) with PJS have been collected; six under-went polypectomy using single balloon enteroscopy(Olympus SIF Q180) with antegrade approach using push and pull technique. SBE system consists of the SIF-Q180 enteroscope, an overtube balloon control unit(OBCU Olympus Balloon Control Unit) and a dispos-able silicone splinting tube with balloon(ST-SB1). All procedures were performed under general anesthesia. Previously all pts received wireless capsule endos-copy(WCE). Prophylactic polypectomy was reservedmainly in pts who had polyps 15 mm in diameter. The balloon is inflated and deflated by a balloon control unit with a safety pressure setting range from-6.0 kPa to +5.4 kPa. Informed consent has been obtained from pts or parents for each procedure.RESULTS: Six pts underwent polypectomy of small bowel polyps; in 5 pts a large polyp 15 mm(range 20-50 mm in diameter) was resected; in 1 patient with WCE negative, SBE was performed for previous surgi-cal resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. In 2 pts endoscopic clips were placed due to a polypectomy. No surgical complication have been reported. SBE with resection of small bowel large polyps in PJS pts was useful to avoid gastrointestinal bleeding and emergency laparotomy due to intestinal intussuscep-tions. No gastrointestinal tumors were found in sub-sequent enteroscopic surveillance in all seven pts. In order surveillance, all pts received WCE, upper en-doscopy, ileocolonoscopy every 2 years. No pts had extraintestinal malignant lesions. SBE was performed when WCE was positive for significant polyps( 15 mm).CONCLUSION: The effective of prophylactic polyp-ectomy of small bowel large polyps( 15 mm) could be the first line treatment for conservative approach in management of PJS patients.     

Diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diseases are advanced by capsule endoscopy and double-balloon enteroscopy

In 2001, new endoscopic procedures for the small bowel, capsule endoscopy (CE) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE), were introduced into regular clinical practice. These methods were significant breakthroughs for imaging examination of the small bowel. The methods have different characteristics with regard to their approach into the target organ; however, common to both is the feature of enabling rapid total observation of the small bowel. CE is the first safe, non-invasive well-tolerated procedure and can be performed in any condition. The examination time is about 8 h and the patient can spend the time freely. CE can demonstrate active bleeding or neoplasm in the small bowel, which other modalities cannot detect. DBE, which was developed by Yamamoto, employs two balloons combined with an overtube and allows deeper insertion into the small bowel, and can be a modality for examination of the entire small bowel with combined oral and anal approaches. This modality enables biopsy specimens to be taken, polyps to be resected and hemostatic procedures to be performed throughout the small bowel. The understanding of small bowel disease is being extended by using CE and DBE for diagnosis. CE is considered to be superior for the first examination of the small bowel and DBE is useful for detailed examination and endoscopic therapy. Further clinical study of unknown small bowel disorders using these two modalities and algorithms for the management of small bowel disorders are required.     

Double- vs. single-balloon enteroscopy: single center experience with emphasis on procedural performance

Purpose

This study aims to compare double- (DBE) and single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) in small bowel disorders with respect to procedural performance and clinical impact.

Methods

This retrospective analysis at a tertial referral center included 1,052 DBEs and 515 SBEs performed in 904 patients over 7 years. Procedural and patients' characteristics were precisely analyzed.

Results

Significantly more patients with anemia and gastrointestinal bleeding were investigated by DBE (P?<?0.01). Oral insertion depth and length of investigated small bowel in the combined approach were significantly higher in the DBE compared to the SBE group (245?±?65.3 vs. 218?±?62.6 and 355?±?101.9 vs. 319?±?91.2, respectively; P?<?0.001, each). By analyzing only recent years of enteroscopy (2008–2011), no difference in small bowel visualization could be observed. The anal insertion depths and complete enteroscopy rates (CER) were comparable. Procedure times were significantly shorter within the SBE procedure (oral: 50 vs. 40 min; anal: 55 vs. 46 min, P?<?0.001) and the usage of sedation was significantly less (propofol: P?<?0.001; pethidine: P?<?0.05). Diagnostic yield was significantly higher in the SBE, compared to the DBE group (61.7 vs. 48.2 %; P?<?0.001). The rate of severe adverse events was close to zero.

Conclusion

Both enteroscopy techniques are safe diagnostic tools and proved to be indispensable in the daily gastroenterological practice. The lower insertion depths, but higher diagnostic yield, of SBE may reflect the more focused selection of patients scheduled for small bowel diagnostics in recent years.