Short double-balloon enteroscopy is feasible and effective for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with surgically altered gastrointestinal anatomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for patients with digestive tract reconstruction is a difficult procedure from an anatomical point of view. A short-type double-balloon enteroscope has a 2.8-mm working channel and a 152-cm working length, and its advantage is that it can accommodate most conventional devices for ERCP. Although the shorter length compared with the long-type balloon-assisted enteroscope (BAE) was suspected of making it difficult or impossible to reach the blind end, in fact, the success rate of reaching the blind end with the short type is similar to that with the long- type BAE. In addition, the success rate of ERCP-related procedures with the short type is satisfactory. However, it remains controversial as to which BAE is more suitable for this procedure. Further randomized controlled trials by high-volume centers are warranted.