Resumo

HERNANDEZ GARCES, Héctor Rubén et al. Double balloon enteroscopy: a descriptive study of the first 14 explorations performed in the Institute of Gastroenterology of Cuba . Rev cubana med [online]. 2008, vol.47, n.1. ISSN 0034-7523.

The diagnostic aids to explore the small intestine are not the ideal ones. The double balloon enteroscopy is a new alternative with diagnostic and therapeutic potential. 14 enteroscopies were performed: 4 anterogrades, 9 retrogrades, and 1 by both routes, from July to December, 2007. 14 adult patients of both sexes, 8 females and 6 males, aged 18-over 80 took part in the study to evaluate the usefulness, efficacy and safety of double balloon enteroscopy performed in the Institute of Gastroenterology of Cuba. These patients were under study due to chronic diarrhea, hemorrhage of unknown origin, melena of undetermined cause, suspicion or follow-up of intestinal disease and chronic anemia. Anterograde (oral) and retrograde (anal) approaches were carried out and the time devoted to the procedure, the findings and the complications were evaluated. The 14 patients received deep sedation. The average time for the procedures by the anterograde and retrograde routes was 65 and 90 minutes, respectively. 6 patients with clinical and radiological diagnosis of Crohn disease were studied: 4 with chronic diarrheas, 3 with chronic anemia and the rest for other reasons. Endoscopic findings of the small intestine disease were confirmed in 10 patients (71.4 %), whereas in 4 (28.6 %) the exploration was normal. The adverse effects were mild and transient. It was concluded that double balloon enteroscopy is a diagnostic and therapeutic method useful in patients with affections of the small intestine that allows to explore the whole organ, as well as to perform a biopsy of each lesion observed and the use of staining methods, if necessary. It also has a few contraindications, and the procedure takes an acceptable time with practically no complications.

Palavras-chave : Double balloon enteroscopy; intestinal disease; Crohn's disease; anemia; melena; digestive hemorrhage.

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