Clinical usefulness of a short-type, prototype single-balloon enteroscope for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy: preliminary experiences

Background and aim: A limited number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) accessories are compatible with the conventional single-balloon enteroscope (SBE) because of the latter's dimensions. The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of a prototype SBE that has a shorter working length and a wider channel than the conventional SBE.

Methods: ERCP procedures carried out between January 2012 and July 2013 using the short SBE prototype were reconstructions such as Billroth II (B-II), post-gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y (RY-G), and post-choledochojejunostomy with Roux-en-Y (RY-CJ). We retrospectively analyzed the rate of reaching the blind end of the intestine, the diagnostic success rate, the interventional success rate, and the frequency of related complications.

Results: Twenty-seven ERCP procedures on 18 patients analyzed comprised two B-II, 15 RY-G, and 10 RY-CJ reconstructions. With a mean procedure time of 56 min (range 40-150 min), the rate of reaching the blind end, the diagnostic success rate, and the interventional success rate were 24/27 (89%), 20/27 (74%), and 19/27 (70%), respectively. There were no major ERCP-related complications in any patient.

Conclusions: The prototype short-type SBE appears safe and effective for use in ERCP, and is compatible with conventional endoscopy accessories.