Published online Feb 7, 2015. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i5.1385
Peer-review started: September 9, 2014
First decision: September 27, 2014
Revised: October 14, 2014
Accepted: December 1, 2014
Article in press: December 1, 2014
Published online: February 7, 2015
Processing time: 154 Days and 23.6 Hours
Since its introduction in 2001 capsule endoscopy opened up the small bowel for diagnostic approaches followed by double balloon enteroscopy which enabled the endoscopic community to perform therapeutic interventions in the whole small intestine. In this review the scientific developments related to indications, diagnostic yield and complications of the last years between the competing devices double ballon enteroscopy, single balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy are illustrated.
Core tip: After the first decade of use deep enteroscopy with double balloon enteroscopy, single balloon enteroscopy and spiral enteroscopy are an important part of the armamentarium of modern endoscopy. The review gives an overview of the available literature concerning diagnostic yield, complications and indications of this promising techniques.