Small Bowel Enteroscopy: Looking Deeper Into the Small Intestine

The small intestine is about 20 feet long, and a standard upper endoscopy only reaches its first part. Enteroscopy uses a longer, thin, flexible scope passed through the mouth to examine and treat more of the small intestine.

Why it's done

• To find the source of bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia when upper endoscopy and colonoscopy are normal
• To treat abnormal blood vessels (angioectasias) with heat or clips
• To take biopsies or remove polyps
• To follow up on findings from capsule endoscopy
• To evaluate Crohn's disease or celiac disease

How to prepare

• 8 hours before your procedure time: stop all solid food and milk. Clear liquids are OK.
• 3 hours before: stop drinking everything, except a small sip of water for pills.
• Some blood thinners, diabetes medicines, weekly GLP-1 shots, and iron pills must be stopped days ahead. Your instruction sheet lists them.
• Bring a driver and a list of your medicines.

Read the full EGD, enteroscopy, and ERCP instructions (also in Español, Tiếng Việt, and 中文). All instruction sheets are on our Procedure Instructions page.

During and after

You receive sleep medicine (sedation). The procedure is done at Valley Digestive Health Center or USC Arcadia Hospital. Afterward, a mild sore throat, bloating, or gas is normal. You cannot drive for the rest of the day. Call us right away for bad belly pain, fever, vomiting, or black or bloody stools.

Make an appointment

Our gastroenterologists in Temple City care for patients from Arcadia, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Monrovia, Monterey Park, and across the San Gabriel Valley. We accept most PPO plans (see accepted insurances), and our doctors speak English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. Schedule an appointment or call 626-898-4560.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own health.