Outcomes associated with deep enteroscopy.

The purpose of this article is to describe the available data regarding the short- and long-term outcomes associated with deep enteroscopy. Deep enteroscopy can be defined as the use of an enteroscope to examine small bowel distal to the ligament of Treitz or proximal to the distal ileum. The term deep enteroscopy includes double-balloon, single-balloon, and spiral enteroscopy. Comparisons are made with push enteroscopy and intraoperative enteroscopy, the major therapeutic endoscopic options available to the gastroenterologist before the introduction of deep enteroscopy. The article concludes with a discussion regarding complications associated with deep enteroscopy and cost-effectiveness of management strategies for obscure bleeding. Proposed changes to the current algorithm for management of obscure bleeding are suggested.