Use of a Through-the-Scope Balloon System for Deep Enteroscopy.

SG The through-the-scope balloon system consists of a balloon catheter that is placed through the end of a colonoscope and allows the endoscopist to advance deep into the small intestine via the stomach or the colon. The balloon is pushed out in front of the colonoscope, anchored in the small bowel, and inflated. Through a series of balloon inflations and deflations, the colonoscope advances along the catheter to the balloon deep into the small intestine. The catheter can be removed and reinserted for therapeutic intervention while retaining the endoscope position. Push enteroscopy uses a pediatric colonoscope that the endoscopist advances as far into the digestive tract as possible. One of the limitations of push enteroscopy is a phenomenon called looping, which occurs when the colonoscope stays in the stomach or the colon without being able to advance further into the digestive tract. The through-the-scope balloon system allows the endoscopist to pleat and shorten the intestine to prevent looping, thereby providing further intubation into the small bowel for a deeper examination. One of the key differences between the throughthe-scope balloon system and singleand double-balloon enteroscopy is the length of the procedure. The throughthe-scope balloon system can be completed in approximately 20 minutes, whereas singleand double-balloon examinations take a minimum of 60 minutes. Additionally, singleor double-balloon enteroscopy requires special equipment, such as enteroscopes or processors, which can be costly. The through-the-scope balloon system allows the endoscopist to use equipment that is already in an endoscopy suite.