Enteroscopy

Procedure

You are suspected of having a pathological process in the small intestine based on investigations that have already been carried out. Neither gastroscopy nor colonoscopy can diagnose the disease. An enteroscopy is therefore performed. An infusion is first placed in the arm to administer sleeping and sedative medication. During the examination, a specially trained nurse (nurse or practice assistant) is present in addition to the doctor.

The examination is carried out using a long, thin, movable “tube” (endoscope) with a light source and a camera attached to its tip. The instrument is inserted via the mouth (oral enteroscopy) or via the anus (anal enteroscopy) and finally advanced into the small intestine. Depending on the situation, various techniques (“double balloon”, “monoballoon” or “spiral technique”) can be used under fluoroscopic guidance (X-ray control) to probe deep into the small intestine.

The mucous membrane is scanned for pathological changes and indicated interventions such as tissue removal, hemostasis or polyp removal can be carried out via a working channel. These interventions are not painful. The examination takes up to two hours. You sleep during the entire examination.

Preparation

Oral enteroscopy

Please do not eat any solid food from midnight before the small bowel endoscopy, as the upper digestive tract must be free of food residues for the gastroscopy. Drinking clear, fat-free liquids (no milk) is permitted up to two hours before entry. Do not take your regular medication unless your doctor specifically advises you to do so.

Enteroscopy anal

As with a colonoscopy, a lower small bowel endoscopy requires a thorough cleansing of the bowel beforehand. Please follow the instructions for bowel cleansing exactly.

Aftercare

As you will be given sedative/pain-relieving medication for the enteroscopy, you will be monitored after the examination until you have had a good night’s sleep. Your doctor will then inform you of the findings and suggest how to proceed.

In the hours following the examination, there may be a feeling of pressure in the abdomen (= increased air in the bowel). If this increases, new abdominal pain occurs, you notice bleeding from the anus or you develop a fever, inform your doctor immediately or go to an emergency ward