The clinical utility of single-balloon enteroscopy: a single-center experience of 172 procedures.
BACKGROUND
Single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) is a novel endoscopic technique designed to evaluate and treat small-bowel disease. Although there is substantial literature addressing double-balloon enteroscopy and its impact on the diagnosis and management of small-bowel disease, there are limited data available on the clinical utility of SBE.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical utility and diagnostic impact of SBE in a large cohort of patients at a single tertiary center.


METHODS
Single-center, retrospective study.


METHODS
Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.


METHODS
A total of 161 patients were referred for SBE from January 2006 to August 2008.


METHODS
Demographic, clinical, procedural, and outcome data were collected and analyzed.


RESULTS
A total of 161 patients underwent a total of 172 procedures. Antegrade and retrograde approaches were used in 83% and 17% of subjects, respectively. The average insertion depth using the antegrade approach was 132 cm beyond the ligament of Treitz (range 20-400 cm). The average insertion depth using the retrograde approach was 73 cm above the ileocecal valve (range 10-160 cm). The average procedure time was 40 minutes overall, 38 minutes (range 12-90) antegrade and 48 minutes (range 28-89) retrograde. Fluoroscopy was used in 20 cases (12%). Diagnostic yield was 58% (99/172); 42% (72/172) were therapeutic cases. There were no significant complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Single-center, retrospective study.


CONCLUSIONS
SBE demonstrated a high diagnostic yield and frequently provided useful therapeutic intervention. It seems to be a safe and effective method for performing deep enteroscopy.
Upchurch
Bennie R
BR
Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Sanaka
Madhusudhan R
MR
Lopez
Ana Rocio
AR
Vargo
John J
JJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D020776:Endoscopes, Gastrointestinal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D007421:Intestine, Small; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult