Effect of Water Exchange Method on Single-balloon Enteroscopy

Oral enteroscopy was performed first, followed by the anal route on the same day or later. For oral route, SBE was first advanced beyond Treitz ligation with CO2 insufflation. Then the water exchange method was used for further insertion. Briefly, residual air in the lumen was suctioned, and 37°C water was infused with a peristaltic pump through the biopsy channel to obtain lumen visualization. Turbid luminal water due to residual feces was suctioned and replaced by clean water until the small bowel lumen was clearly visualized again. Thus, infused water was removed predominantly during the insertion phase. The total volume of water was not restricted. For anal route, water exchange or CO2 insufflation method was used from the beginning of insertion respectively.

Conventional enteroscopy was performed as CO2 insufflated during insertion. Oral enteroscopy was performed first, followed by the anal route on the same day or later.

SBE was advanced as deeply as possible and complete small bowel visualization was attempted. When the following conditions were met, tattooing at the deepest position with India ink was performed and the endoscope was withdrawn: no further endoscopic advancement could be achieved, detection of a significant lesion and no other lesions suspected, severe stricture, obvious sedation and SBE-related adverse events happened which required termination of further intubation.