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Leisha Harris
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Leisha.Harris@bhsala.com

BIRMINGHAM, AL --- Trinity Medical Center is one of nine medical facilities in the United States utilizing the most advanced technology for minimally invasive diagnosis and therapeutic intervention of the small intestine. Double Balloon Endoscopy allows physicians to endoscopically evaluate and treat disorders of the small intestine previously inaccessible without invasive surgery, which is a significant advancement in patient care.

The small intestine is the most difficult organ of the gastrointestinal tract to access by way of endoscopy. This is due to its extraordinary length and distance from a convenient bodily orifice.

“This is the first time, since the advent of endoscopy some 40 years ago, that we can examine the entire small bowel and use a range of therapeutic tools for tissue acquisition and therapy,” said Leonard Ou-Tim, M.D., a gastroenterologist at Trinity. “Basically, this technology allows us to forgo a cumbersome and lengthy abdominal surgery and laparotomy which was the only option for many patients previously.”

EGD Endoscopes, commonly known as gastroscopes, can reach the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. Longer enteroscopes were developed to facilitate the visualization of the upper portion of the small bowel, but have proved to be difficult to use by physicians and difficult for the patient. These scope procedures allow physicians to perform biopsies and other therapeutic maneuvers. Recently introduced capsule, or wireless endoscopy, allows for complete examination of the small bowel although it is unable to confirm observations, sample by biopsy or allow for therapeutic intervention or treatment of any type during the examination. Double Balloon Endoscopy technology changes this paradigm by allowing for both examination and intervention throughout the entire small bowel via endoscopy.

“I believe this technology represents the last frontier in gastroenterology,” explained Dr. Ou-Tim. “The advent of wireless endoscopy has allowed physicians to diagnose unexplained bleeding, Crohn’s disease, multi-generating polyps, arteriovenous malformations (AVM’s) and other disorders of the small intestine. However, not until the development of the Double Balloon Endoscopy system, have physicians been able to endoscopically intervene and treat clinical pathology without open surgical intervention. No longer is the small bowel ‘the dark continent’ of the GI tract.”

With this investment, Trinity Medical Center believes it will significantly reduce the number of invasive surgical procedures necessary in the treatment of small bowel disorders, and greatly improve the quality of life for countless patients.

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