Efficacity and security of motorised spiral enteroscopy in small bowel exploration

Aims Motorised spiral enteroscopy is a new technique of exploring the small intestine. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacity and security of spiral enteroscopy in terms of clinical and technical success rates in patients known to have lesions seen on capsule endoscopy or small bowel MRI.

Methods It is a monocentric retrospective study conducted in our institution between july 2021 and september 2022. The primary endpoint of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic yield of this technique, defined by the number of procedures with a lesion found among the total number of procedures performed.

Results 70 procedures (43 upper and 27 lower) performed in 66 patients were included. Median age was 61,5 y.o. with masculine predominance 39 M / 21 F. Diagnostic yield was 62,8% (44/70). This rate was 85,1% for lower GI and 48,8% for upper GI enteroscopies. Lesions diagnosed were : angiodysplasias (48,5%), inflammatory lesions (stenosis and/or ulcerations) (24,2%) and tumors (benign or malignant) (27,1%). Technical success rate was 79,5% (35/44) : polypectomies (37,1%), argon plasma coagulation (48,5%) and hydrostatic balloon dilation (14,2%)

Technical failure was seen in 27,9% of upper GI and 3,7% of lower GI enteroscopies.

Superficial mucosal lacerations without clinical repercussions were noted in 34,2% of exams.

Conclusions Motorised spiral enteroscopy is a new device that shown efficacy in exploring the small bowel, especially for lower GI exploration. A learning cure as well as a special training are need for optimal results.

Conflicts of interest

Authors do not have any conflict of interest to disclose.

Publication History

Article published online:
14 April 2023