Original Title: Application 1102

Authors' results and conclusions: Safety - Overall, double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) appears to be a safe procedure with few reported major complications. However, with no evidence comparing the safety of this procedure with laparotomy with or without intra-operative enteroscopy, it cannot be concluded that DBE is as safe as, or safer than, the comparator. Effectiveness - The volume of evidence used to assess the effectiveness of DBE consisted solely of low level uncontrolled post-test case series (level IV intervention evidence) and is therefore considered to be of poor methodological value. However, the populations of the studies examined were generalisable to the target population within Australia. On the basis of low level evidence, DBE appears to be an effective procedure for delivering therapeutic interventions to the small bowel. However, the complete absence of evidence comparing the procedure against the more invasive comparator does not allow any conclusions to be drawn in regard to the effectiveness of DBE against laparotomy with or without intra-operative enteroscopy.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2006

URL for published report: http://www.msac.gov.au/internet/msac/publishing.nsf/Content/BD8ABE0631116586CA25801000123B3F/$File/1102-Assessment-Report.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment

Contact Address: School of Public Health, Mail Drop 545, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, AUSTRALIA, Tel: +61 8 8313 4617

Contact Name: ahta@adelaide.edu.au

Contact Email: ahta@adelaide.edu.au

Copyright: Adelaide Health Technology Assessment (AHTA)