Life-Saving Endotherapy of A Small-Bowel Diverticular Bleed Facilitated by Double-Balloon Enteroscopy in a Patient Refusing Transfusion, Despite Critically low Haemoglobin (32G/L)

A 65-year-old man presented with life-threatening small-bowel bleeding. Despite critically low haemoglobin (Hb) levels (32g/l) and counselling regarding risk, the patient refused blood transfusion due to religious beliefs.

A small-bowel capsule endoscopy-guided emergency anterograde double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) was performed on the intensive-care unit (ICU). Active bleeding was identified at a sizable small-bowel diverticulum. Endo-clip haemostasis was achieved successfully. During 6-months of follow-up, there was no recurrence of bleeding.

This case demonstrates the clinical usefulness of DBE-facilitated endotherapy in the context of life-threatening small-bowel bleeding; even in such a challenging scenario with a critically low Hb in a patient refusing transfusion.

Citation: Skamnelos A, Murino A, Lazaridis N et al. eP158V LIFE-SAVING ENDOTHERAPY OF A SMALL-BOWEL DIVERTICULAR BLEED FACILITATED BY DOUBLE-BALLOON ENTEROSCOPY IN A PATIENT REFUSING TRANSFUSION, DESPITE CRITICALLY LOW HAEMOGLOBIN (32G/L). Endoscopy 2021; 53: S148.

Publication History

Article published online:
19 March 2021