Our world-leading gastroenterologists and expert nursing team provide a first-class enteroscopy service to diagnose and treat conditions of the small bowel.
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What is it for?
Enteroscopy service to diagnose and treat conditions of the small bowel
On this page
Treatment overview
A small bowel enteroscopy involves a long, thin, flexible tube (endoscope) being passed down your throat and all the way to your small bowel.
At the end of the tube are a camera and light that allow your consultant to look for anything that doesn’t look right in your small bowel.Â
This helps them to diagnose any conditions you may have, or identify something that’s causing you discomfort.
Your consultant can also attach tiny surgical instruments to the end of the endoscope to remove bowel polyps (a small clump of cells), stop bleeding and insert feeding tubes.Â
The benefits of an enteroscopy, compared to a traditional upper endoscopy (also known as an EGD), is that it allows your consultant to look further into your small bowel.
At The London Clinic, we offer our small bowel enteroscopy service in our calm and comfortable Endoscopy Unit.Â
FAQs
Our world-leading gastroenterologists and experienced nursing team will work closely together to reduce any risk and support your safe recovery.Â
However, there are risks with any procedure, including a small bowel enteroscopy. Â
You may simply have a mild sore throat after your procedure, but a small number of people do experience side effects, such as:
PancreatitisÂ
The pancreas of less than 1 in 100 people becomes red, swollen and often painful.
BleedingÂ
This is more likely to happen if body tissue or a polyp is removed during the procedure. It affects about 1 in 100 people. The bleeding usually stops naturally, but your consultant may also stop it by burning (cauterising) the tissue that’s bleeding.
PerforationÂ
Around 1 in 1,000 enteroscopies lead to a tear in the bowel wall, and it’s more likely if a polyp is removed.
To get ready for your enteroscopy, your consultant will usually ask you not to eat and drink on the day of your procedure.Â
This helps the camera at the end of the endoscope get clear views of your digestive tract.
However, your care team will discuss this with you and give you detailed guidance on what you can eat and drink before your procedure.Â
If you normally take medication or supplements, your care team will also discuss with you if you need to stop taking these and the best times to do so.
Your small bowel enteroscopy will begin with your consultant giving you medication through a needle or tube inserted into a vein.Â
This medication reduces pain and discomfort and should make you feel less anxious. You should feel relaxed, but be awake during your procedure.Â
Your consultant may also spray local anaesthetic in the back of your mouth to numb your throat.Â
They’ll then insert a long, thin, flexible tube (endoscope) into your mouth. They may ask you to swallow to help the endoscope pass down your throat. You shouldn’t feel any pain at this point.
The tube is passed down your oesophagus (gullet), through your stomach and along the full length of your small intestine.Â
There is a small camera on the end of the endoscope that sends high-quality images to a computer screen.
Your consultant looks at the screen during the investigation to pick up on anything that doesn’t look right.
During the enteroscopy, your gastroenterologist may take a sample of body tissue (biopsy), remove bowel polyps and stop bleeding by cauterising (burning) tissue.Â
An enteroscopy usually lasts around 45 minutes, but this will depend on the amount of treatment you require.
Your consultant will be able to discuss the results and what they have seen during your enteroscopy as soon as you feel able to chat.Â
They may also arrange an appointment to discuss the results of tests carried out on any body tissue removed during your procedure.
These results are usually available in three to four working days.Â
At this appointment, your consultant will also explain your diagnosis, discuss your treatment options and chat through any worries you may have.
After your enteroscopy, you’ll recover in our calm and comfortable Endoscopy Unit until your sedative has worn off.Â
Some people experience wind and cramping pain, so our nursing team will offer you painkillers to ease any discomfort.
You’ll stay at The London Clinic until you’ve recovered well and feel ready to go home.Â
However, you’ll need someone to travel with you, and we recommend someone stays overnight with you as well.Â
We also advise that you don’t drink alcohol, drive, work or operate machinery for 24 hours, as you won’t be as mentally alert as usual.
An enteroscopy may be done to look for:
- Polyps which keep returningÂ
- Rare hereditary conditions, such as Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
- Familial adenomatous polyposis
Your consultant may also recommend an enteroscopy if you have:
- Unexplained bleeding from the bowel
- Digestive issues, including problems absorbing nutrients
- Diarrhoea that keeps returning
- Had a CT or MRI scan that’s revealed something not normally in your small bowel
You may also have a small bowel enteroscopy to:
- Insert a feeding tube if your stomach has been removed through surgery, or you have problems with food passing through your stomach, due to a blockage
- Stop bleeding in your small bowel
- Remove polyps before they grow too large or have the potential to become cancerous
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.