Abstract

OSPINA NIETO, John  and  VILLAMIZAR SUAREZ, John. Single balloon enteroscopy: A new tool for gastrointestinal evaluation. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2009, vol.24, n.3, pp.241-247. ISSN 0120-9957.

Introduction and aims: Until recently the most useful tools designed for evaluating the small intestine were the endoscopic capsule and double balloon enteroscopy. However, the search for a safer, faster, less complicated technique has led to the development of the single balloon enteroscopy system. This paper presents our experience with this technique in the Hospital Cardiovascular del Niño in Cundinamarca (Soacha-Colombia) along with a brief review of the most important aspects of performing this procedure. Patients and Methods: Between January 15, 2009 and February 15, 2009 a prospective study was conducted on 29 patients at the Hospital Cardiovascular 'El niño'. A total of 41 single balloon enteroscopies were performed on these patients. Indications, times of procedures, findings and complications were studied in all of these patients. Results: Average diagnostic time was 28.5 minutes with 71 minutes of total procedure time. Total explorations using mixed approaches were performed on two patients (16%). Findings included foreign bodies, angiodysplasias, Crohn's disease, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome, vasculitis, nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, intestinal varicose veins and neoplasias. Diagnostic yield for occult bleeding was 81%. No complications were registered. Conclusions: Although this technique has been used for only a few weeks, we can already conclude that Single Balloon Enteroscopy is a safe, fast and reliable technique for small intestine evaluation.

Keywords : Enteroscopy; single balloon; small intestine.

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