Single balloon enteroscopy in children for evaluation of small bowel diseases in children: A large, tertiary center study
Reddy PM, Kulkarni S, Nabi Z, Kasle S, Chavan R, , Shrimal P, Choudhary H, Sayyed M, Reddy DN. Published Nov 2021, in the Journal of pediatric surgery.
Abstract
Background and aim: Device assisted enteroscopy is the cornerstone for small bowel evaluation. However, the data are limited in pediatric patients. In this study, we aim to evaluate the safety and utility of single balloon enteroscopy (SBE) in children.
Methods: The data of children (≤18-years) who underwent SBE from November 2010 to July 2020 was analyzed, retrospectively. The safety and diagnostic yield of SBE were assessed.
Results: 189-SBE procedures (males 117, mean age 15.1 ± 2.76, range 3-18 years) were performed in 174-children. The indications for SBE were chronic abdominal pain in 119 (68.4%), gastrointestinal bleed 17 (9.8%), chronic diarrhea 17 (9.8%) and vomiting 13 (7.5%). Antegrade, retrograde and combined SBE were performed in 98 (51.8%), 77 (40.7%), 7 (3.7%) children, respectively. The mean length of small bowel intubation in antegrade and retrograde SBE groups were 168.9 ± 58.6 cm and 120.7 ± 52.1 cm, respectively. Overall, a positive finding was seen in 117 (67.2%) cases. The most common findings were ileal and jejunal ulcers with or without strictures in 76 (64.9%) children. A total of 18 therapeutic enteroscopic procedures were performed. There were no major adverse events.
Conclusion: SBE is a safe and effective procedure for the evaluation and management of small bowel diseases in children.
Keywords: Children; Endoscopy; Small bowel.