Motorized spiral enteroscopy – a prospective analysis of 82 procedures at a single tertiary center

Abstract

Introduction Motorized spiral enteroscopy (MSE) is a promising novel deep enteroscopy technique. The purpose of our study was to evaluate efficiency and safety of MSE in a single tertiary endoscopy center. Methods We prospectively evaluated all consecutive patients undergoing MSE in our endoscopy unit from June 2019 through June 2022. Main outcomes were technical success rate, proportion of procedures with sufficient depth of insertion, success rate of total enteroscopy, diagnostic yield and complication rate. Results A total of 82 examinations in 62 patients (56% males, mean age 58 ± 18 years) were performed, 56 from antegrade and 26 from retrograde approach. Technical success rate was 94% (77/82) and in 89% (72/82) of cases, depth of insertion was considered sufficient. Total enteroscopy was indicated in 19 patients and it was achieved in 16 of them (84%), either by antegrade in 4 or by combined approach in 12 cases. Diagnostic yield was 81%. Lesion of the small bowel was found in 43 of patients. Mean insertion time was 40 for antegrade and 44 min for retrograde procedures, respectively. Complications occurred in 3% (2/62) of patients. One patient suffered from mild acute pancreatitis after total enteroscopy and there was one intussusception of the sigmoid during endoscope withdrawal resolved by parallel colonoscope insertion. Conclusion In our series of 82 procedures in 62 patients examined by MSE during a three-year period, we show high technical success rate (94%), diagnostic yield (81%) and low complication rate (3%).