Introduction:

The study of the small bowel is a challenging task that has sparked interest and progress in medicine. In this context, double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) has allowed the direct visualization of the small intestine.

Objective:

To describe indications, procedure characteristics, findings, complications, and follow-up of patients taken to DBE at the Hospital de San José, Bogotá, between November 2011 and April 2019.

Methodology:

Case series study. Patients with a clinical indication or diagnostic images suggestive of small bowel lesion were included. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results:

45 enteroscopies were performed in 44 patients, with a median age of 58 years. The main indication was potential small bowel bleeding (53.3%) and chronic diarrhea (11.1%). Anterograde procedures were more frequent. Most of the results were normal (46.7%); tumors (11.1%), Crohn’s disease (8.9%), and ulcers/erosions (6.7%) were among the most frequent findings. The diagnostic yield was 53.3% and the correlation with capsule endoscopy (CE) was 37.5%, and with imaging studies 42.9%. There were no complications. 91.1 % of patients were followed up on after a median of 56 months, with 78.1 % reporting symptom remission. The aim of enteroscopy was diagnostic in 84.4%.

Conclusions:

DBE is useful in the evaluation of the small intestine with a therapeutic possibility. The results are similar to those reported in the world literature. Follow-up can define the need for repeating the procedure, performing further studies, or symptom resolution.

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