Balloon endoscopy allows doctors to examine the gastrointestinal tract for health problems. Single balloon endoscopy uses one endoscope with a balloon to anchor it, while double balloon endoscopy uses two balloons for a more complete view. Both procedures carry some risk, but are generally considered safe.
Balloon endoscopy is a technique that allows gastrointestinal endoscopes to be used to examine the condition of the small and large intestines, stomach and esophagus. Using balloon endoscopy, a number of health problems can be identified while they are still in their infancy and most responsive to treatment. There are two approaches to this procedure, known as single balloon endoscopy and double balloon endoscopy.
With the single balloon approach, the lone endoscope is used to allow the doctor to view the inside area of the gastrointestinal tract. A small camera and light are located at the end of the oscilloscope, providing data that the doctor can view on a screen. The scope body features a balloon that can be inflated and deflated as needed during the procedure. This anchors the body of the device while allowing the camera and light to continue to advance through the stroke. Once the area has been thoroughly examined, the balloon is deflated and the endoscope can easily move on to the next section.
There are many other functions that are a regular part of this exploration using a single balloon endoscope. The device is capable of flushing an area with water, helping to increase visibility for the clinician. If necessary, it is also possible to introduce air into the area. It is also possible to use the endoscope while taking a biopsy.
A double balloon endoscopy provides all the functions of a single balloon procedure. The difference is that a second balloon is included at the tip of the endoscope, where the camera and light are. Both balloons can be inflated and deflated as needed to allow the physician the most complete view of a given area, as well as to help move the endoscope through the tract more efficiently.
Due to the nature of balloon endoscopy, the patient is sedated before the procedure begins. On average, a procedure will take between one and three hours, depending on the results and the type of treatments deemed necessary by the treating physician. Both single-balloon and double-balloon endoscopic procedures carry some degree of risk. The most common risk factors involve a perforation of one of the intestines or bleeding that is a result of taking samples as part of the biopsy. However, as internal procedures proceed, the process of a balloon endoscopy is considered a relatively safe procedure that will likely cause little or no lingering discomfort for the patient once awake.
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