Double balloon enteroscopy (DBE) is an endoscopic technique broadly used to diagnose and treat small bowel diseases. Among the associated complications of the oral DBE, post-procedure pancreatitis has taken the most attention due to its gravity and the thought that it might be associated to the technique itself and anatomical features of the pancreas. However, as the etiology has not been clarified yet, this paper aims to review the published literature and adds new results from a porcine animal model. Biochemical markers, histological sections and the vascular perfusion of the pancreas were monitored in the pig during DBE practice. A reduced perfusion of the pancreas and bowel, the presence of defined hypoxic areas and disseminated necrotic zones were found in the pancreatic tissue of pigs. All these evidences contribute to support a vascular distress as the most likely etiology of the post-DBE pancreatitis.
Keywords: Animal model; Double balloon enteroscopy; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Pig.