Abstract
Introduction: Double Balloon Enteroscopy (DBE) is a useful modality in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of obscure GI bleeding and small bowel pathology. Limited data are available on the safety of DBE in older patients. In this study we report our single center experience over a 1 year time period. Aim: To determine the relative safety of DBE in patients over and under the age of 75 yrs. Methods: Retrospective review of DBE procedures at our center between August 2007 and August 2008 in patients over and under the age of 75 yrs. Results: A total of 216 DBE procedures in 170 patients (87 male) were reviewed. The mean age of patients studied was 66 +/- 16.4 yrs. (range 20-95 yrs.). Within this group 60 patients (79 procedures) were > age 75 yrs. A total of 2 adverse events were seen (1 patient with hypoxia and 1 patient with a transient cardiac arrhythmia). Both of these adverse events occurred in patients <age 75 yrs. There were no adverse events encountered in patients > age 75 yrs. There were no perforations and no deaths in either group. There were no significant differences in procedure times for upper DBE (p=0.76) and lower DBE (p=0.89) in patients over and under the age of 75. Finally, there were no significant differences in depth of insertion/extent of small bowel examined for upper DBE (p=0.34) and lower DBE (p=0.47) in both groups. These data are summarized in the table below. Conclusion: DBE is safe in patients over the age of 75 yrs. There does not appear to be a significant difference in procedure times and extent of small bowel examined in patients over and under the age of 75 yrs. Tabled 1 All pts. Age <75 Age >75 # pts. 170 110 60 # procedures 216 137 79 Adverse Events 2/216 (0.9%) 2/137 (1.4%) 0/79 (0%) Upper DBE Mean Procedure Time (min) 67.9 +/- 20.4 68.2 +/- 22.6 67.2 +/- 16.3 Lower DBE Mean Procedure Time (min) 67.3 +/- 22.9 67.6 +/- 24.2 66.7 +/- 20.7 Mean Depth of insertion Upper DBE (cm) 218.3 +/- 96.6 225 +/- 97.5 208 +/- 94.2 Mean Depth of insertion Lower DBE (cm) 107.8 +/- 82.7 112 +/- 75.72 98 +/- 99.03 Open table in a new tab
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