What Is An Enteroscopy Types Procedure What To Expect?

An enteroscopy is a procedure that lets a doctor look directly inside your small intestine using a long, thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. It is used to find the cause of bleeding, polyps, or other problems in the small bowel that standard upper endoscopy and colonoscopy cannot reach. There are several types, and each one works a little differently. Knowing what is involved before, during, and after the procedure can help you feel prepared if your doctor recommends it.

Why Would a Doctor Recommend an Enteroscopy?

Your small intestine is about 20 feet long and folded into your abdomen. Standard upper endoscopy reaches the top part, and colonoscopy reaches the bottom part. The middle section is hard to access with those tools. Enteroscopy was developed to close that gap.

Doctors most often recommend enteroscopy when other tests have not found the source of a problem. The most common reason is gastrointestinal bleeding that shows up as black stools, anemia, or visible blood. Other reasons include suspected polyps, tumors, Crohn’s disease, or a condition called celiac disease that does not respond to treatment.

Sometimes imaging tests like CT scans or capsule endoscopy show something unusual. In that case, enteroscopy allows the doctor to see the area directly and take tissue samples if needed.

What Are the Types of Enteroscopy?

There are three main types of enteroscopy. The type your doctor chooses depends on your condition and what part of the small intestine needs attention.

Push enteroscopy is the simplest form. The doctor passes a long endoscope through your mouth, down the esophagus and stomach, and into the upper small intestine. It can reach roughly the first few feet of the small bowel. It is quick, but it does not go as deep as other methods.

Balloon-assisted enteroscopy goes much deeper. The scope has a balloon attached to it, or in some cases two balloons. The doctor inflates and deflates the balloons to grip the intestine and slide the scope further in. This technique allows the doctor to examine most or all of the small intestine. It takes longer than push enteroscopy, often 60 to 90 minutes.

Spiral enteroscopy uses a scope with a spiral thread on the outside. The doctor rotates the scope, and the spiral pulls the intestine onto the tube like a corkscrew. It reaches deeper than push enteroscopy but is not used as widely as balloon-assisted methods.

Your doctor might also mention capsule endoscopy. That is not technically an enteroscopy. You swallow a small camera pill that takes pictures as it travels through your digestive tract. It is useful for looking, but the doctor cannot take biopsies or treat anything with a capsule. Enteroscopy is the procedure that allows actual intervention.

How Do You Prepare for an Enteroscopy?

Preparation depends on which type of enteroscopy you are having. For any type that goes through the mouth, you will need to fast. That usually means no food or drink for about 8 to 12 hours beforehand. Your stomach needs to be empty so the doctor can see clearly and reduce the risk of vomiting during sedation.

For balloon-assisted enteroscopy, especially when the doctor plans to go through the rectum to reach the lower small intestine, you may need a full bowel preparation. This is similar to a colonoscopy prep. You drink a large volume of liquid laxative the day before to clear your entire digestive tract.

Tell your doctor about every medication you take. Blood thinners, aspirin, and certain diabetes medications often need to be adjusted before the procedure. Do not stop any medication on your own. Your doctor will give you specific instructions.

You will also need someone to drive you home. The sedation used during enteroscopy makes it unsafe to drive or operate machinery for the rest of the day.

What Happens During the Procedure?

You will receive sedation to keep you relaxed and comfortable. Most people are sleepy but breathing on their own. In some cases, especially for longer procedures, general anesthesia is used.

You lie on your side while the doctor inserts the scope. Air or carbon dioxide is gently pumped in to expand the intestine so the doctor can see the walls. You may feel some cramping or pressure, but the sedation keeps most discomfort under control.

The doctor examines the lining of the small intestine on a video screen. If they find a polyp, they can often remove it right then. If they see an area that looks abnormal, they can take a biopsy. A biopsy is a small sample of tissue sent to a lab for testing.

If the reason for the procedure is bleeding, the doctor can treat it directly. Common treatments include injecting medication, using heat to seal the bleeding vessel, or placing small clips on it. These techniques stop active bleeding in many cases.

The procedure typically takes 30 minutes for push enteroscopy and up to 90 minutes or more for balloon-assisted enteroscopy.

What Can You Expect After the Procedure?

After the procedure, you will wake up in a recovery area. Your throat may feel sore if the scope went through your mouth. You might feel bloated or have mild cramping from the air used during the exam. This usually passes within a few hours.

You will stay at the facility until the sedation wears off enough for you to drink fluids and walk safely. Most people go home the same day. You should rest for the remainder of the day and avoid driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions.

Your doctor will discuss the findings with you before you leave or during a follow-up appointment. If biopsies were taken, results take several days to come back.

Most people can return to normal activities the next day. Your doctor may ask you to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for a short time, especially if a polyp was removed or a bleeding site was treated.

What Are the Risks and Complications?

Enteroscopy is a common and generally safe procedure, but it does carry some risks. The most serious risk is perforation, which is a tear in the intestinal wall. This is rare but requires emergency surgery to repair.

Bleeding can occur at the site where a biopsy was taken or a polyp was removed. Most bleeding stops on its own or with additional treatment during the procedure. Significant bleeding is uncommon.

There is also a risk from sedation itself. Allergic reactions and breathing problems can occur, which is why your vital signs are monitored throughout the procedure.

Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, is a specific risk with balloon-assisted enteroscopy. The manipulation of the intestine can irritate the pancreas. This is uncommon but has been reported. Mild cases resolve with observation and fluids.

Call your doctor right away if you have severe abdominal pain, fever, chills, vomiting, or bright red blood from the rectum after the procedure. These symptoms can indicate a complication that needs prompt attention.

How Does Enteroscopy Compare to Other Tests?

Enteroscopy is not the first test most people have. Doctors typically start with less invasive options.

Enteroscopy is the only method that combines deep access with the ability to take biopsies and deliver treatment in the same session. That makes it the most complete diagnostic and therapeutic tool for small intestinal disease.

What Is An Enteroscopy Types Procedure What To Expect?

Enteroscopy is a procedure that uses a specialized endoscope to examine the small intestine. The three types are push, balloon-assisted, and spiral enteroscopy. During the procedure, you receive sedation, the scope is passed through the mouth or rectum, and the doctor can take biopsies or treat bleeding. Expect fasting beforehand, a recovery period after, and a same-day discharge in most cases. Risks include perforation, bleeding, and pancreatitis, though all are uncommon.