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Intestine endoscopy. Exploring Small Bowel Endoscopy: A Comprehensive Guide

What is small bowel endoscopy? How does it differ from a colonoscopy? What can you expect during the procedure? Get all the answers to your questions about this important diagnostic tool.

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Understanding Small Bowel Endoscopy

Small bowel endoscopy, also known as deep endoscopy, is a minimally invasive procedure used to examine the entire small intestine, which is approximately 20 feet long. This specialized technique employs an endoscope – a thin, flexible tube with a light and video camera – that is equipped with inflatable balloons. These balloons allow the endoscope to navigate through the small bowel, enabling doctors to thoroughly inspect and diagnose any issues present.

Differentiating Small Bowel Endoscopy from Colonoscopy

While both small bowel endoscopy and colonoscopy are types of endoscopic procedures, they serve distinct purposes. Colonoscopy focuses on examining the large intestine (colon), whereas small bowel endoscopy is designed to investigate the entire small intestine. This makes small bowel endoscopy particularly valuable for diagnosing conditions like Crohn’s disease, which can affect any part of the digestive tract.

Preparing for Your Small Bowel Endoscopy

Prior to your small bowel endoscopy, your doctor will provide specific instructions on how to prepare. This may involve fasting (not eating or drinking) for a period before the procedure to ensure an empty stomach. Additionally, if you take blood-thinning medications, you may need to temporarily stop taking them to minimize the risk of bleeding during the endoscopy.

What to Expect During the Procedure

On the day of your small bowel endoscopy, you will be given sedation by an anesthesiologist to ensure your comfort throughout the procedure. Your doctor will then carefully guide the endoscope through your mouth, down your esophagus, and into the small intestine. You will not feel any pain during the endoscopy, which typically lasts between one and two hours.

Post-Procedure Care and Recovery

After the endoscopy, you will rest until the sedation wears off. Since you will not be able to drive, it is important to arrange for someone to take you home. Most people are able to resume their normal activities within a day or two, although your doctor may provide specific guidelines based on your individual case.

The Benefits of Small Bowel Endoscopy

Small bowel endoscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool that allows doctors to thoroughly examine the entirety of the small intestine. This comprehensive view can help identify the underlying causes of various gastrointestinal issues, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, and guide appropriate treatment. By utilizing this advanced technique, healthcare providers can provide more accurate diagnoses and tailored care for their patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a small bowel endoscopy and a colonoscopy? A small bowel endoscopy focuses on examining the entire small intestine, while a colonoscopy is used to view the large intestine (colon).

How long does a small bowel endoscopy procedure take? Typically, a small bowel endoscopy lasts between one and two hours.

Will I feel any pain during the small bowel endoscopy? No, you will not feel any pain during the procedure as you will be sedated throughout the process.

When can I resume normal activities after a small bowel endoscopy? Most people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two, but your doctor will provide specific guidance based on your individual case.

Why is small bowel endoscopy an important tool for diagnosing gastrointestinal issues? Small bowel endoscopy allows for a comprehensive examination of the entire small intestine, which is crucial for identifying and diagnosing conditions like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease that can affect any part of the digestive tract.

How does the doctor navigate the small bowel during the endoscopy? The endoscope used in small bowel endoscopy is equipped with inflatable balloons that help the doctor move the endoscope through the small intestine for a thorough examination.

Is there any special preparation required for a small bowel endoscopy? Yes, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for a period before the procedure, and you may need to temporarily stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, as directed by your doctor.

Small Bowel Endoscopy | Inflammatory Bowel Disease | Henry Ford Health

Minimally invasive procedure for diagnosing IBD.

Your small intestine, also known as the small bowel, connects the stomach to the large intestine (colon). The small bowel is often the site of painful conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease (an immune disease in which eating foods with gluten leads to damage in the small intestine).

At Henry Ford, we use several diagnostic procedures to determine the cause of your discomfort, where in your digestive tract the issue is located and how severe the issue is. One of these procedures is small-bowel endoscopy, also known as deep endoscopy. Some other digestive centers don’t offer small-bowel endoscopy because of the time and coordination involved in the procedure, but it’s a valuable tool that helps us accurately diagnose our patients.

Our team includes specialists in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the expertise you need for a precise diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. No matter what’s causing your symptoms, we’re here to help.

What is a small-bowel endoscopy?

A small-bowel endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure in which we examine your entire small intestine, which is about 20 feet long. We use special balloons that fit over a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope, which has a light and a video camera. By inflating and deflating the balloons, we move the small bowel over the endoscope so we can examine it.

The endoscope lets us see nearly any part of the small bowel so we can diagnose the cause of your symptoms. We also can treat your condition if needed with the help of tiny tools we pass through the endoscope and into your small bowel.

What’s the difference between a small-bowel endoscopy and a colonoscopy?

While small-bowel endoscopy and colonoscopy are both types of endoscopy, the procedures are very different. Because Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract, we use small-bowel endoscopy for its greater ability to view any part of the digestive tract. Colonoscopy, by contrast, lets us view changes and areas of concern in the large intestine (colon) only.

Because of a colonoscopy’s more limited viewing area, a small-bowel endoscopy is the better choice for locating and diagnosing Crohn’s disease.

What to expect during your small-bowel endoscopy

Before your procedure, we’ll give you instructions on how to prepare for your small-bowel endoscopy. You may need to fast (not eat or drink) before your endoscopy so your stomach is empty for the procedure.

If you take certain blood-thinning medications, you may need to stop taking them in the days before your endoscopy, as these medications can increase your risk of bleeding during the procedure. Your doctor will give you instructions about any medications you may take for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or high blood pressure.

On the day of your procedure, one of our expert anesthesiologists will sedate you. While you’re sedated, your doctor will pass the endoscope through your mouth and stomach and into the small intestine. You will not feel any pain during your endoscopy.

The procedure will last an hour or two. Afterward, you’ll rest until your sedation wears off. You won’t be able to drive, so please plan on having someone available to take you home.

Understanding upper endoscopy and colonoscopy – Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Visiting Dana-Farber? See our prescreening and mask requirements.




  • What is endoscopy?

    Endoscopy is a procedure in which the gastro-intestinal tract (GI tract) is viewed through a lighted, flexible tube with a camera at the end (endoscope). Small samples of tissues cells (biopsy) can also be collected and sent for testing.

    There are two basic types of endoscopy:

    1. Upper endoscopy – The esophagus, stomach, and small intestines can be viewed by a thin flexible tube inserted through the mouth.
    2. Colonoscopy – The lining of the large intestine, colon and rectum can be viewed by a flexible tube inserted through the rectum.
    Preparation
    • Blood tests are sometimes required.
    • Medications can be given by vein if needed.
    • Please arrange for a ride home. You may feel drowsy after the procedure due to medications.
    • Upper endoscopy: No food or drink is allowed for six hours before the procedure. An empty stomach allows for the best view and safest exam.
    • Colonoscopy: Drink only clear liquids for at least 24 hours before the procedure. A laxative or special cleansing solution will be ordered by the physician to clear the bowel of stool so that the rectum/intestines can be seen. (See below for specific instructions)

    Day of procedure

    • The doctor will explain the procedure and get your consent.
    • Tell your doctor about medications you are taking.
    • Discuss allergies to medications and other medical conditions.
    • This is the time to ask questions about procedure.

    What can I expect during upper endoscopy?

    Your doctor will spray your throat with a local anesthetic or give you a sedative to help you relax. You’ll then lie on your side, and a doctor will pass the endoscope through your mouth and into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The endoscope doesn’t interfere with your breathing. Most patients consider the test only slightly uncomfortable, and many patients fall asleep during the procedure.

    What happens after upper endoscopy?

    You will be observed closely until most of the effects of the medication have worn off. Your throat might be a little sore, and you might feel temporarily bloated due to the air introduced into your stomach during the test. You will be able to eat after you leave unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

    Your doctor generally can tell you your test results on the day of the procedure; however, the results of some tests might take several days.

    If you received sedatives, you won’t be allowed to drive after the procedure even though you might not feel tired. You should arrange for someone to accompany you home because the sedatives may affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day.

    What happens during colonoscopy?

    Colonoscopy is well-tolerated and rarely causes much pain. You might feel pressure, bloating or cramping during the procedure. You will likely receive a sedative to help you relax and better tolerate any discomfort.

    You will lie on your side or back while your doctor slowly advances a flexible tube (colonoscope) through your large intestine to examine the lining. The whole procedure itself usually takes 45 to 60 minutes, although you should plan on two to three hours for waiting, preparation and recovery.

    What happens after a colonoscopy?

    Your physician will explain the results of the examination to you, although you’ll have to wait for the results of any biopsies performed. If you were given sedatives during the procedure, someone must drive you home and stay with you. Even if you feel alert after the procedure, your judgment and reflexes could be slow for the rest of the day. You may have some cramping or bloating because of the air introduced into the colon during the examination. This should disappear quickly when you pass gas.

    You should be able to eat after the examination, but your doctor may restrict your diet and activities, especially after the removal of any polyps.





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