Diagnostic and therapeutic push type enteroscopy in clinical use

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Endoscopy
• Digestive System Diagnostics

Background:

• Small bowel pathologies often present diagnostic challenges.
• Conventional endoscopic methods have limitations in visualizing the small intestine.
• Push enteroscopy offers a potential solution for deeper intestinal examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility and feasibility of small bowel push enteroscopy in routine clinical practice.
• To assess the diagnostic yield and therapeutic applications of the Olympus SIF-10 enteroscope.
• To determine the effectiveness of push enteroscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and other small bowel disorders.

Main Methods:

• A total of 60 push enteroscopy procedures were performed on 56 patients over 2.5 years.
• The Olympus SIF-10 instrument was utilized for all procedures.
• Procedures were conducted during routine gastroscopy lists, with experienced endoscopists performing the technique.

Main Results:

• A median depth of 45 cm (range 15-90 cm) of the small intestine was intubated.
• Diagnostic yield was 45% for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding and 33% for abnormal barium studies.
• Therapeutic interventions included jejunostomy tube placement, polypectomy, stricture dilatation, and bleeding lesion treatment.

Conclusions:

• Small bowel push enteroscopy is a practical and valuable clinical service.
• The technique is relatively easy for experienced endoscopists to learn.
• Availability of push enteroscopy on a subregional basis is recommended.