Push enteroscopy. Technique, depth, and yield of insertion.

Push enteroscopy has evolved into a practical procedure for diagnosing a wide variety of clinical situations with an acceptably high diagnostic and therapeutic success. Push enteroscopes routinely allow excellent visualization of approximately 50% of small bowel mucosa. The range of endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities includes tissue diagnosis through biopsies, polypectomy, laser therapy, stricture dilatation, and placement of percutaneous jejunosotomies. The diagnostic yield is highest for screening the upper gastrointestinal tract in polyposis syndromes and for occult gastrointestinal bleeding. The most successful therapeutic use is for placing percutaneous jejunostomies.