[Single-balloon Enteroscopy]

Double-balloon enteroscope (DBE) requires a long preparation time and scope insertion is often confused because balloons have to be attached to both the endoscope and the overtube. Single-balloon enteroscope (SBE) is a new model endoscope produced by Olympus Medical Systems, and SBE does not require a balloon to be attached to the scope and has only sliding tube. Therefore, examination, preparations and scope insertion are easier than with DBE. SBE provides high-quality 'Q' type endoscopic images, and narrow-band-imaging can be performed. A prototype ultrasonic probe for SBE is now available. We underwent enteroscopy with SBE in 40 patients, and the total number of sessions was 50. Total enteroscopy was possible in 3 of 5 patients, in whom SBE was inserted deeply through both mouth and anus. There were no serious complications. This newly developed enteroscopy is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of small intestinal bleeding, intestinal stricture and protruding lesions. We believe that the single-balloon enteroscope will be more widely used clinically in the near future.