Diagnosis and treatment of obscure small bowel bleedings - analysis of double balloon enteroscopy role in diagnosing and treatment algorythm on basis of own material

Introduction: Obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is defined as recurrent bleeding to gastrointestinal tract without evaluated origin, despite detailed endoscopic and image diagnostics. The most common reason of OGIB is small bowel bleeding (SBB). Methodology: Retrospective analysis of patients hospitalized in the Gastroenterology Department of VII Navy Hospital in Gdańsk with suspicion of OIGB. Results: Double balloon enteroscopy was performed in 31 cases. Origin of bleeding was founded in the small bowel in 87% of cases and in 64 % successful simultaneous therapeutic procedure was performed. No clinically relevant complications were noticed. Conclusion: According to actual diagnostic algorithms of OGIB, double balloon enteroscopy is highly effective also in the Polish medical care system. This technique is a safe and effective tool in diagnostics and treatment of SBB, but its availability is still limited in Poland.