Enteroscopy Treatment Effective for Small Bowel Obstruction in Crohn’s Disease
A research team led by Professors Kim, Youngho and Hong, Seongno from the Department of Gastroenterology at Samsung Medical Center has published a prospective, long-term follow-up study on the effectiveness of enteroscopic balloon dilation for small intestinal strictures caused by Crohn’s disease. The findings appear in the latest issue of the United European Gastroenterology Journal.
Within 5 to 10 years of being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, more than two-thirds of patients develop small intestinal strictures. These are commonly treated with surgery to remove the affected site. However, surgical resection can place a significant physical burden on patients. As a result, there is growing interest in enteroscopic balloon dilation as a less invasive alternative to surgery.
Enteroscopic balloon dilation is a minimally invasive procedure in which a specially designed endoscope is inserted into the small intestine to reach the site of a stricture. A balloon at the tip is then inflated to gently widen the narrowed area. The procedure typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to perform. The research team reported that complications such as perforation and bleeding occurred in only 2.7% of cases (4 out of 150 patients), and all were successfully managed with conservative treatment.
Professor Hong, Seongno explained, “In the past, surgery was often the only option when a small intestinal stricture was identified. However, with the use of enteroscopy, we can now offer a less invasive alternative.” He added, “By preserving as much of the patient’s intestine as possible and reserving surgery as a last resort, we can create a safer and more patient-friendly treatment environment.”