Balloon enteroscopy

Balloon enteroscopy allows us to visualise most of, or the entire small bowel. To assist the passage of the scope through the small intestine, which normally measures about 3 metres, a small balloon at the tip of the scope and an overtube are used. The procedure may take an hour or more to perform. The small bowel can accessed either through the mouth, or from the colon, or both. Balloon enteroscopy is normally performed under heavy sedation or general anaesthesia.