Early timing of single balloon enteroscopy is associated with increased diagnostic yield in patients with overt small bowel bleeding

Abstract

Background/purpose: Although performing balloon enteroscopy soon after the onset of small bowel bleeding appeared to enhance diagnostic rate, the optimal timing was unclear. Methods: A retrospective cohort study in a single referral center. Patients with overt, suspected small bowel bleeding who underwent primary single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) were evaluated to determine the association between procedure timing and diagnostic yield rates. Results: A total of 220 patients were enrolled (47.7% males; mean age, 65.6 ± 18.1 years). They were stratified into four groups based on the timing of SBE: emergency (7 days (n = 87). A significant trend of decreasing diagnostic yields was observed across the groups (90.6%, 67.9%, 68.3%, and 44.8%, respectively, P 7 days groups (P < 0.05), but not between 24 and 72 h and 3–7 days groups (P = 0.97). In multivariate regression analysis, emergency, ≤ 3 days, and ≤7 days SBEs had greater yield rates than SBEs at later timings. Conclusion: The likelihood of diagnostic yield was highest when SBE was performed during continued bleeding or within 24 h of onset, and gradually declined as waiting time increased. We therefore recommend that SBE should be performed as soon as possible, preferably no later than seven days. Keywords: Diagnostic yield, Enteroscopy, Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, Timing