Double Balloon Endoscopy

Double Balloon Endoscopy Q & A in Manhattan & New York, NY

What is double balloon endoscopy?

Double balloon endoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that allows Dr. Rubin to “see” the interior portion of your small intestine. The access provided also allows him to use instruments designed for biopsy or electrocauterization.

Endoscopic technology has vastly improved diagnostic and treatment of issues in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and colon. Now, through double balloon endoscopy, it’s possible to reach the small intestine to perform diagnostic and treatment tasks.

What happens during double balloon endoscopy?

You’ll be sedated throughout the procedure. Dr. Rubin uses a flexible endoscope that’s around 200 cm long and equipped with a fiberoptic camera, light, and a small medical balloon. The endoscope is covered with a thin overtube fitted with a second balloon.

Once inside your small intestine, Dr. Rubin inflates the overtube balloon, anchoring the overtube against your intestinal walls and allowing the endoscope to move further into your intestinal tract. The endoscope balloon is then inflated to anchor the endoscope, allowing the overtube to advance.

Double balloon endoscopy allows Dr. Rubin to gain access to areas of the small intestine that were previously inaccessible.

What is double balloon endoscopy used for?

Dr. Rubin uses double balloon endoscopy to diagnose or address the following conditions:

• Polyps
• Tumors
• AVM's
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Foreign bodies
• Abnormalities discovered through other endoscopic procedures

Double balloon endoscopy is also used to obtain biopsies, remove polyps and dilate areas of constriction.

How long does double balloon endoscopy take to perform?     

The small bowel is over twenty feet long and the procedure can take as long as one and a half hours to complete. 

You’ll remain comfortably sedated from start to finish. When you awake, Dr. Rubin speaks with you about what the procedure revealed, what work was done to address any issues, and what your next steps will be.

Double balloon endoscopy has truly changed the game when it comes to diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders and conditions. Dr. Rubin is proud to be among a small group of specialists who offer this revolutionary procedure. 

To learn more about the possibilities afforded by double balloon endoscopy, call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rubin at (212) 772-2877.