Enteroscopy in St. Louis, MO

Before your enteroscopy, you will be given directions from your Specialists in Gastroenterology provider informing you of the necessary prep. Many individuals will be allowed to eat normally the day before their exam. Patients will be asked not to take anything by mouth after midnight, aside from any medications they take. It is important to follow the instructions provided by your specialist. There will also be more information about your medications. In most cases, your medications can continue as instructed. However, in some cases, particularly in those who take blood thinners and in diabetics, special instructions will be given.

You will need to arrive at the endoscopy center an hour to an hour and a half before your enteroscopy procedure. This gives you time to complete patient forms and get prepped for the exam. We will have you change into a hospital gown. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be inserted in your arm so that sedation can be given to you. We will connect you to equipment that will enable our providers to keep track of your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, electrocardiogram, breathing, and oxygen level during and after the exam.

Once in your exam room, we'll have you lie down on your left side on the procedure table. The IV sedation will be started. Small amounts are given at a time to verify you won't have an adverse reaction to the medication and to give you only the amount you need. After the right amount of sedation is reached, the endoscope will be gradually introduced into your mouth. The scope will be carefully advanced through the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. A small amount of air will be injected through the scope into the gastrointestinal tract to help your specialist see. Any remaining fluid in the upper GI tract is suctioned out through the scope. Depending on the findings of your procedure, several things can be conducted at the time of the procedure, such as biopsies, removal of polyps, and control of bleeding. Once we're done, as much of the air and remaining fluid as possible is drawn out via the scope. Depending on our findings, the procedure takes approximately 15 – 45 minutes.

After the exam, you will be transferred to recovery to be monitored while the sedation starts to wear off. The amount of IV sedation used during your exam and your individual reaction to the sedation will dictate how quickly you come to, though most patients are awake enough for discharge within 45 – 60 minutes. You will not be allowed to drive for the remainder of the day, so you will need to arrange for a ride home. You will also be instructed not to work, sign important documents, or complete arduous activities for the remaining day. Most patients can eat and drink normally after being discharged from the endoscopy unit, however, instructions regarding activity and exercise, medications, and eating will be given before discharge.

Following the enteroscopy procedure, your Specialists in Gastroenterology team will go over the results of your exam with you. A number of patients have difficulty remembering what they are told after the exam because of the effects of the sedation. We recommend, if you're able, having a family member join you for these results. You will also go home with a report. You will be given any biopsy results usually within one week.