Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurpose of TestRisks and ContraindicationsBefore the TestDuring the TestAfter the TestInterpreting ResultsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose of Test
Risks and Contraindications
Before the Test
During the Test
After the Test
Interpreting Results
Frequently Asked Questions
Anenteroscopy(also called a push enteroscopy) is a medical test that is used to examine the inside of the small bowel. It is a type ofendoscopyprocedure that may be used to diagnose and treat several types of digestive conditions,such as small bowel tumors, polyps, gastrointestinal bleeding, and small bowel diseases.
The procedure allows a physician to find and treat problems in the digestive tract without surgery. It calls for a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end to be inserted through the mouth and into the upper gastrointestinal tract. The camera’s range is considerable, including the lining of the esophagus, stomach,duodenum(first portion of the small bowel) andjejunum(the middle portion of the small bowel).
This article explains the purpose of an enteroscopy as well as the risks. It also outlines what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.
Verywell / JR Bee
A surgeon, gastroenterologist, or other trained healthcare professional can perform an enteroscopy. The procedure is done using an endoscope, which is a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end. The tool is inserted through the patient’s mouth and down the esophagus.
The endoscope allows the healthcare professional to see the inside of the digestive tract, including the stomach and small intestine, and take one or more small pieces of tissue for study (abiopsy). In addition, because thesmall intestineis being accessed, it may be possible to administer therapy, such as removing a polyp (a growth).
An enteroscopy may be ordered after other tests (such ascolonoscopy,X-ray, orbariumswallow) show that there could be a problem in the digestive system. Sometimes, these tests fail to reveal a reason for a symptom (such as bleeding). The enteroscopy serves as the next step.
A small bowel enteroscopy focuses on the first (duodenum) and second (jejunum) parts of the small bowel.
Some of the signs and symptoms that may prompt a healthcare professional to order an enteroscopy include:
Types of Enteroscopy
A healthcare professional may use one of three techniques to perform an enteroscopy:
Procedure Signaled a New ChapterEnteroscopy is a relatively new procedure. The Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2001. Previously, the small bowel—all 20 feet of it—was inaccessible to gastrointestinal specialists.
Procedure Signaled a New Chapter
Enteroscopy is a relatively new procedure. The Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2001. Previously, the small bowel—all 20 feet of it—was inaccessible to gastrointestinal specialists.
Endoscopy vs. Colonoscopy: What’s the Difference?
An enteroscopy is a safe outpatient procedure, but it might not be recommended for certain people, like those who are pregnant, obese, or have lung or heart disease. The test is done under sedation or anesthesia, so it may not be recommended for those who have had a bad reaction to either medicine in the past or who may be adversely affected because of another disease or condition.
There are some adverse effects that may occur after the test. They should go away in a day or two but can include:
The rate of complications after enteroscopy is estimated to be extremely low, or about 0.9%.Some of the complications that could occur include inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), bleeding, and aperforation(hole) in the small intestine.
Your healthcare provider will provide instructions about how to prepare for the test. You may have to stop taking certain medications for a time, including anything that’s taken over the counter, such as Pepto Bismol and iron supplements. Any drugs that thin the blood, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, may be off-limits for a week or more before the test because they can increase the risk of bleeding.
Understandably, many patients have questions about the procedure. Their queries often include:
Reach out to your healthcare provider if you have other questions about how to prepare for the procedure.
Be an Open BookIf they don’t already know, your healthcare provider will surely ask about your medical history. Make sure they know about any and all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take, as well as any vitamins and supplements.
Be an Open Book
If they don’t already know, your healthcare provider will surely ask about your medical history. Make sure they know about any and all prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take, as well as any vitamins and supplements.
After you arrive at the hospital or surgical center, the staff will tell you exactly what they expect you to do. As seasoned professionals who have probably managed the process hundreds of times before, they likely have addressed every issue or concern under the sun. So don’t be shy—and try not to be nervous.
An enteroscopy takes about 30 minutes, give or take. But the entire procedure, including time for sedation or anesthesia and recovery, could last about two hours.
Pre-Test
Checking in for a medical test usually means providing the front office staff with an insurance card and a form of identification (such as a driver’s license). Every institution has slightly different processes, but in general, there will be forms to read and sign that pertain to the test. This includes a consent form.
You will be called back into the prep and recovery area to get ready for the test. It will be necessary to change into a hospital gown and put your street clothes into a bag or perhaps a locker. A nurse or other staff member will ask a list of standard questions about what you’ve ingested over the last 24 hours and how you plan to get home.
A nurse will set you up in a hospital bed and an intravenous line (IV) will be inserted in a vein to administer fluids and sedatives. Monitoring devices may also be used, such as a blood pressure cuff and a heart monitor, to keep track of your vital signs during the test. When it’s time for your test to begin, the bed will be wheeled into the endoscopy suite, where the test will take place.
Throughout the Test
You will be hooked up to a sedating machine that will deliver medicine to either make you very relaxed or put you to sleep. Then the physician will insert the endoscope into your mouth and slowly move it down into the small intestine. As uncomfortable as this may sound, it’s unlikely you will feel anything more than slight pressure or fullness.
Post-Test
Count on scheduling a follow-up appointment to go over the results in greater detail.
Bloating, Cramping Is NormalYou may feel some bloating or cramping after the procedure.This is perfectly normal and due to the air that was pumped into your abdomen to allow for a a better view of your stomach and small intestine.
Bloating, Cramping Is Normal
You may feel some bloating or cramping after the procedure.This is perfectly normal and due to the air that was pumped into your abdomen to allow for a a better view of your stomach and small intestine.
Nurses will remove your IV and probably offer you something to drink, such as water, ginger ale, or cranberry juice. You may stay in the recovery area for a few hours following the procedure.
They will give you instructions to follow once you’re home. But in general, it’s recommended to rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day.
Most people are able to eat soft foods later the same day. It largely depends on their appetite. You may be advised to stay away from spicy or fatty foods for the rest of the day to keep your stomach in a calm state.
It’s a good idea to avoid vigorous exercise and heavy lifting until you feel like yourself again. Many patients are able to resume their normal activities—including returning to work—the day after their enteroscopy.
Managing Side Effects
You may find a small amount of blood in your stool after the enteroscopy. More likely, you will feel bloated. These are normal side effects and nothing to worry about. However, you should call your healthcare provider right away if you experience:
Your healthcare provider may have some initial results to share with you immediately after the test, so it’s a good idea to have that friend or family member listen alongside you to absorb any important information and ask questions.
If there was a need for a biopsy, the results may take several days. In the meantime, try to relax—and remember that your medical team is there to support you.
If the results of your test are inconclusive, your healthcare provider may order a lower enteroscopy. For this test, the endoscope is inserted into the rectum to view the lower gastrointestinal tract. This test, too, allows for the removal of a tissue sample for further analysis.
Summary
An enteroscopy allows a physician to find and treat problems in the digestive tract without a patient having to undergo surgery. It calls for a long, flexible tube with a camera on the end to be inserted through the mouth and into the upper gastrointestinal tract.
An enteroscopy can either confirm a presumed diagnosis or point to reasons why a patient may be experiencing symptoms like bleeding, nausea or vomiting, persistent heartburn, severe diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss. An enteroscopy is a common, low-risk procedure but may cause minor side effects such as cramps, bloating, and sore throat.
A Word From Verywell
It may help to remember that an enteroscopy excels at what many healthcare providers only dreamed about 20 years ago: giving them a close-up view of the stomach and small intestine. For many people, an enteroscopy represents the first step in learning the cause of their stomach distress—and what they can do to begin a new and healthier chapter in their lives.
What to Expect During a Colonoscopy
Frequently Asked QuestionsAn enteroscopy is a type of endoscopy. An endoscopy is a procedure that uses a camera to look inside the body. “Enteroscopy” refers to a bowel endoscopy (since “entero” means “intestine”). Although there are several types of enteroscopies, usually “enteroscopy” is used to mean a small intestine endoscopy.Not for an upper enteroscopy. In most cases, you must stop eating solid foods eight hours before the procedure. (Drinking clear liquids is OK.)However, if your healthcare provider orders a lower enteroscopy, you probably will have to prepare your bowels as if you were undergoing a colonoscopy.It refers to where the endoscope is inserted. When it’s inserted through the mouth, it’s called antegrade; when it’s inserted through the rectum, it’s known as retrograde.
An enteroscopy is a type of endoscopy. An endoscopy is a procedure that uses a camera to look inside the body. “Enteroscopy” refers to a bowel endoscopy (since “entero” means “intestine”). Although there are several types of enteroscopies, usually “enteroscopy” is used to mean a small intestine endoscopy.
Not for an upper enteroscopy. In most cases, you must stop eating solid foods eight hours before the procedure. (Drinking clear liquids is OK.)However, if your healthcare provider orders a lower enteroscopy, you probably will have to prepare your bowels as if you were undergoing a colonoscopy.
It refers to where the endoscope is inserted. When it’s inserted through the mouth, it’s called antegrade; when it’s inserted through the rectum, it’s known as retrograde.
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