Single-operator single-balloon enteroscopy is safe and effective: A 6-year retrospective study.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Small Intestine Diseases

Background:

• Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is a key tool for small intestine lesion detection.
• Conventional SBE requires two operators, leaving the efficacy of a single-operator approach unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the diagnostic yield, total enteroscopy rate, procedure time, and complications of single-operator SBE.
• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a simplified SBE technique for small intestinal disease.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, single-center study of 922 patients undergoing single-operator SBE between December 2014 and January 2019.
• Analysis of diagnostic yield, total enteroscopy rate, procedure time, incubation depth, and complications.
• Stratification analysis based on operator experience.

Main Results:

• Overall diagnostic yield was 78.52% (724/922) with a total enteroscopy rate of 56.10% (253/451).
• Average procedure times were 69.28 min (oral) and 64.95 min (anal).
• Higher operator experience correlated with increased diagnostic yield and total enteroscopy rates, alongside decreased procedure times. One jejunal perforation occurred, managed with endoclips.

Conclusions:

• Single-operator SBE is a safe and effective method for diagnosing small intestinal lesions.
• The technique is easily mastered and its performance improves with operator experience.