Decompression side tube-equipped double-balloon enteroscopy extends intubation depth and reduces patient discomfort.

Since the first article introducing doubleballoon endoscopy (DBE) was published in 2001 [1], the technique has proven effective for deep intubation of the small bowel and is used in clinical practice worldwide. However, the intubation depth is sometimes limited by the distension of the small bowel due to air insufflation during the procedure. In a recent report [2], the total success rate using a combined (antegrade and retrograde) or antegrade-only approach in DBE was 44.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 35.0%–53.3%). To improve intubation depth, we have developed a modified method for desufflation around the overtube of DBE using a decompression side tube. A nasogastric tube with sideholes placed every 10cm (●" Fig.1a) is used as the decompression side tube. The proximal ends of this tube and the overtube are aligned, and the two tubes are attached to each at several points using plastic tape and film dressing tape (●" Fig.1b–d). Decompression tube-equipped DBE is carried out with air insufflation. In this method, intestinal gas and fluid spontaneously drain out through the decompression tube (●" Fig.2a,b). If necessary, manual aspiration is also possible. Intraluminal decompression leads to efficient insertion of the endoscope and shortening of the proximal small intestine (●" Fig.2c). We have not encountered any significant complications such as intraluminal mucosal injury with this method. Recently, usefulness of a carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation system during DBE has also been reported [3]. However, decompression side tube-equipped DBE extends intubation depth and reduces patient discomfort associated with over-insufflation, even in cases where CO2 insufflation cannot be used. Total enteroscopy was successful using the antegrade-only approach and the EN-450T5 double-balloon enteroscope (Fujinon, Omiya, Japan) equipped with a decompression side tube (●" Fig.3). Because this method is simple,