About Enteroscopy
Key Highlights
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Allows direct visualization of the entire small intestine, a difficult-to-reach area.Enables both diagnosis and treatment (like biopsy, polyp removal, or bleeding control) in a single procedure.Minimally invasive compared to exploratory surgery, leading to less pain and faster recovery.Uses advanced techniques like balloon-assisted or spiral enteroscopy for deeper and more complete examination.Highly effective in finding the source of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding or unexplained abdominal symptoms.
Who is this surgery for?
- Unexplained gastrointestinal bleeding (obscure bleeding) or iron-deficiency anemia.
- Suspected small bowel tumors, polyps, or cancers.
- Evaluation of inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine.
- Unexplained chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, or weight loss.
- Suspected vascular abnormalities like angiodysplasia.
- Removal of foreign bodies or placement of feeding tubes deep in the small bowel.
- Surveillance for polyposis syndromes (e.g., Peutz-Jeghers syndrome).
How to prepare
- Detailed discussion with your gastroenterologist about medical history, allergies, and current medications.
- Fasting is required: Typically no food or drink (except sips of water with medications) for 8-12 hours before the procedure.
- Adjustment of certain medications, especially blood thinners (like warfarin, clopidogrel), as advised by your doctor.
- For retrograde (through rectum) enteroscopy, a bowel prep similar to a colonoscopy is required to clear the colon.
- Arranging for a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure due to sedation effects.
Risks & possible complications
- Reaction to sedation, including breathing difficulties or low blood pressure.
- Perforation (a tear) in the intestinal wall, which is rare but serious.
- Bleeding at a biopsy or polyp removal site.
- Infection.
- Sore throat (for antegrade approach) or abdominal discomfort/bloating.
- Incomplete examination due to technical limitations or bowel anatomy.
Recovery & hospital stay
- You will be monitored in a recovery area until the sedation wears off (1-2 hours).
- You may experience mild bloating, gas, or cramping, which should resolve quickly.
- A sore throat (if scope was inserted orally) can be soothed with lozenges or warm liquids.
- You can usually resume a normal diet shortly after, unless instructed otherwise.
- Avoid driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions for the rest of the day due to sedation.
- Your doctor will discuss preliminary findings before discharge and provide a full report later, including biopsy results if taken.
- Contact your doctor immediately for severe abdominal pain, fever, chills, or persistent bleeding.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (typically outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering enteroscopy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for enteroscopy in India include Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, KMC Hospital Mangalore, Manipal Hospital Baner, Manipal Hospital Dwarka, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform enteroscopy. MediFyr helps you compare gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for enteroscopy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Enteroscopy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing enteroscopy.
Emily Singh, a 42-year-old high school...
Emily Singh, a 42-year-old high school teacher and mother of two, had been struggling for over a year with persistent, unexplained abdominal pain, severe fatigue, and intermittent diarrhea. Despite trying various dietary changes and medications, her symptoms worsened, leading to significant weight loss and frequent absences from work. Her primary care physician, concerned about possible Crohn's disease or a small bowel tumor, referred her to a gastroenterologist. The specialist, after reviewing her inconclusive colonoscopy and CT scan results, recommended a deep enteroscopy to visualize the middle portion of her small intestine, which was inaccessible by standard scopes. Emily was anxious about the procedure and the potential diagnosis, fearing it would disrupt her family life further. The enteroscopy was performed under sedation; she recalls feeling nervous but well-cared for by the nursing staff. The procedure successfully identified and biopsied several areas of inflammation consistent with Crohn's disease. In the recovery room, though groggy, she felt a profound sense of relief at finally having an answer. Post-procedure, she experienced mild bloating and a sore throat for a day. With a confirmed diagnosis, she started targeted biologic therapy. Emotionally, she transitioned from a state of fearful uncertainty and frustration to one of hopeful determination. Having a clear path for treatment allowed her to feel in control again, reducing her anxiety and enabling her to plan for a healthier future with her family.
Gastroenterologists for Enteroscopy
Explore experienced gastroenterologists who regularly perform enteroscopy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 25 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 34 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 20 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 39 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneshwar
- 11 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 8 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 18 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 49 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 32 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
- 21 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 15 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 10 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai