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Observational Study
. 2024 May 17;103(20):e38119.
doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038119.

Double balloon enteroscopy versus single balloon enteroscopy: A comparative study

Jonathan T E Koh  1 , Lim Kim Wei  1   2 , Carlos Paolo Francisco  1   3 , Rajesh Ravi  1   2 , Webber Chan  1   2 , Christopher Khor  1   2 , Ravishankar Asokkumar  1   2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Double balloon enteroscopy versus single balloon enteroscopy: A comparative study

Jonathan T E Koh et al. Medicine (Baltimore). .

Abstract

Device assisted enteroscopy (DAE) like the double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) and single balloon enteroscopy (SBE) are postulated to ease small bowel examination and performance of therapy. However, studies comparing the effectiveness of these 2 modalities have yielded varying results. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of SBE and DBE. We retrospectively reviewed records of patients who underwent DBE (n = 82) or SBE (n = 45) for small bowel exam in our unit from January 2014 to January 2022. Our primary outcomes were to compare the technical success and diagnostic success rates between DBE and SBE. Our secondary outcomes were to compare the therapeutic success, and complication rates. The main indications were suspected GI bleeding (DBE 41.5% vs SBE 48.9%), iron deficiency anemia (DBE 9.8% vs SBE 4.4%) and small bowel lesions (DBE 28.0% vs SBE 44.4%) detected either from prior capsule endoscopy or radiological imaging. Majority of the enteroscopy exam was by antegrade approach (DBE 67.1% vs SBE 77.8%). We found no significant difference in the technical success (DBE 95.1% vs SBE 97.8%, P = .46), diagnostic success (DBE 69.5% vs SBE 77.8%, P = .36) and the therapeutic success rate (DBE 63.2% vs SBE 54.3%, P = .09) between the groups. Complications occurred in 1 case from each group (mucosal tear). None of the complications were major. In patients who underwent enteroscopy, the diagnostic and therapeutic performance of SBE is similar to DBE. Both procedures were safe with low complication rates.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no funding and conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Double-balloon enteroscopy and its parts. (A) Enteroscope with the detachable distal balloon, (B) hydrophilic overtube with a inbuilt distal inflatable balloon, (C) balloon control unit.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Single-balloon enteroscopy and its parts. (A) High definition enteroscope with 2.8 mm working channel, (B) overtube with an inbuilt inflatable silicone balloon, (C) balloon control unit.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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