First Brazilian expert consensus for video capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy.

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Medical Consensus

Background:

• Video capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted enteroscopy are key for small bowel lesion management.
• Implementation of these advanced endoscopic procedures varies in Brazil due to resource distribution.
• Standardized guidelines are needed to optimize small bowel endoscopy use in Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a national consensus on the primary indications for small bowel endoscopy.
• To provide recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic small bowel endoscopic procedures in Brazil.
• To address the unique challenges of implementing small bowel endoscopy across diverse Brazilian regions.

Main Methods:

• A committee from the Brazilian Society of Digestive Endoscopy drafted statements on small bowel endoscopy.
• An expert panel of 46 specialists utilized the Delphi methodology for review and voting.
• Statements required at least 80% agreement to be included as recommendations.

Main Results:

• A total of 45 statements were developed by the expert panel.
• All 45 statements achieved the required 80% agreement threshold.
• The consensus provides comprehensive recommendations for small bowel endoscopy.

Conclusions:

• The First Brazilian consensus on small bowel endoscopy was successfully established using the Delphi method.
• The consensus generated 45 approved statements and recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• This document aims to support clinical decision-making for patients with small bowel conditions in Brazil.