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 a reccurent bleeding to gastrointestinal tract without evaluated origin, despite detiled endoscopic and image diagnostics. Mots common reason of OGIB i small bowel bleeding (SBB). Methodology Retrospective analysis of patients hospitalised in Gastroenterology Department of 7 Szpital Marynarki Wojennej w Gdańsku with suspicion of OIGB. Results Double balloon enteroscopy was performed in 31 cases. Origin of bleeding was founded in small bowel in 87% of cases and in 64 % successfull,simultaneous therapeutic procedure was performed. No clinically relevant complications were noticed. Conclusion According to actual diagnostic algorythms of OGIB, double balloon enteroscopy is highly effective also in polish medical care system. This tehnique is a safe and effective tool in diagnostics and treatment of SBB, but its availability is still limited in Poland. Abstrakt.