Therapeutic Small Bowel Endoscopy in Practice

Jang, Hyun Joo

Abstract

Since the first introduction of double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in 2001, DBE has been refined for complete exploration of the small bowel and therapeutic interventions. Diagnostic DBE using a model EN-450P5 (Fujinon, Saitama, Japan) equipped with a small accessory channel is mainly used for endoscopic observation and limited therapeutic procedures including injection therapy, argon plasma coagulation and polypectomy. Therapeutic DBE utilizing a model EN-450T5 (Fujinon, Saitama, Japan) equipped with a larger accessory channel was developed for various endoscopic interventions. Recently, new enteroscopic techniques such as single balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy were introduced. These enteroscopic techniques are all used for the controlled observation, targeted tissue sampling for pathologic evaluation and various therapeutic interventions. The overall complication rate of DBE seems acceptable but that of therapeutic DBE is higher than diagnostic DBE and therapeutic colonoscopies because the small intestinal wall is much thinner than other intestinal wall. This review provides an overview concerning therapeutic interventions of DBE.