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Endoscopy of the duodenum and intestine

Medical expert of the article

Dr. Svetlana ZALMANOVA

Oncologist, radiologist

Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025

Indications for endoscopy of the duodenum and intestines

Diagnostic indications: clarification of the localization of the process; visual examination of pathological changes revealed during the examination, clarification of their prevalence; monitoring the effectiveness of treatment (both conservative and surgical); differential diagnostics of diseases of the stomach and duodenum; establishing the nature of pyloroduodenal stenosis (organic or functional); biopsy of the affected areas (gastric ulcers, filling defects, neoplasms); detection of changes in the stomach that may affect the choice of a rational method of surgical treatment.

Contraindications to endoscopy of the duodenum and intestines

Absolute contraindications: shock, acute cerebrovascular and coronary circulatory disorders, epileptic seizures, asthma attacks, atlantoaxial subluxation, esophageal diseases that make it impossible to pass an endoscope into the stomach or that have an increased risk of perforation (esophageal burn, cicatricial stricture, etc.).

Indications for endoscopy of the duodenum and intestines

Preparing the patient for endoscopy of the duodenum and intestines

Preparation of the patient for endoscopy may have some features depending on the nature of the examination (planned or emergency), as well as the general condition of the patient. For planned endoscopies, the patient should not eat for at least 4 hours before the examination. 3 hours before the procedure, the patient is given seduxen (one tablet - 0.005 g) or another tranquilizer. 20-30 minutes before the examination, premedication with anticholinergic agents is performed (0.5-1 ml of 0.1% solution of atropine sulfate, metacin or 0.2% solution of platifillin).

How to prepare for duodenal and intestinal endoscopy?

In the examination of the duodenum, the most widely used are duodenoscopes with lateral optics, which are most convenient for examining such an anatomically complex organ as the duodenum and performing operations on it. Duodenoscopy can also be performed using devices with end-on optics. They have the greatest advantages when examining patients who have undergone gastric resection using the Bilroth-II method.

Duodenoscopy with endoscopes with end optics begins with an examination of the pylorus, which is performed by bending the distal end of the endoscope upward and pushing the device forward. The lower the tone of the stomach and the more it sags, the more the end of the endoscope must be bent. If the endoscope is located at the pylorus, then it is possible to see a large part of the anterior and upper walls of the bulb, and with a slight bend of the intestine to the rear, even the area of the postbulbar sphincter of Kapandzhi can be examined.

How is duodenal and intestinal endoscopy performed?