Therapeutic double-balloon enteroscopy: a binational, three-center experience.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Small Bowel Therapeutics

Background:

• Therapeutic small bowel endoscopy is an emerging field with limited reported data.
• This study analyzes outcomes from a large patient cohort undergoing therapeutic small bowel endoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic small bowel endoscopy.
• To identify common indications and interventions performed during the procedure.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database from three centers.
• Inclusion of all patients undergoing diagnostic and therapeutic small bowel endoscopy.
• Focus on double-balloon enteroscopy procedures.

Main Results:

• 614 double-balloon enteroscopies were performed in 534 patients.
• Common findings included vascular lesions (18%), ulcers/erosions (17.8%), polyps/tumors (9.7%), and strictures (2.2%).
• Therapeutic interventions were performed in 22% of patients, including argon plasma coagulation, polypectomy, and stricture dilation, with a 0.9% complication rate.

Conclusions:

• Double-balloon enteroscopy enables various therapeutic interventions for small bowel disorders.
• Training in procedures like argon plasma coagulation, polypectomy, and foreign body extraction is crucial for endoscopists.
• Therapeutic small bowel endoscopy is a relatively safe procedure with a low complication rate.