Push Enteroscopy

Push Enteroscopy

 

Please review all the instructions about your test and prep as soon as you get them, so you can prepare. You may need to change some of your medicines.

Arrange to have an adult to drive you to your test and be there to take you home after the test. If you are taking a cab, bus or medical transportation service home after the procedure, an adult, other than the driver, needs to ride with you for your safety. Medicine given to help you relax during the test will affect your judgment and reflexes much of the day.

Call 614-293-6255, option 2 if you have questions or are not able to keep the appointment for your test.
 

About your test

A push enteroscopy is done with a narrow, flexible tube that has a camera and lights that goes in through your mouth into the upper digestive tract. It allows your doctor to look into your esophagus, stomach and parts of the small intestines or small bowel, called the duodenum and jejunum. This test helps your doctor diagnose illnesses and make plans for treatment if needed.

Outline of a person showing the esophagus, duodenum, stomach, and small bowel

Medicine changes

  • Tell your doctor ALL the medicines you take, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before this procedure and how soon to do it. 
  • If you take medicines for diabetes: Do not take oral diabetes medicines on the day of your procedure. If you take injection medicines for diabetes, such as insulin, ask the doctor who ordered the medicines how to adjust your medicines for this procedure. 
  • If you take a blood thinner (anticoagulant or antiplatelet) medicine: Your doctor may tell you to stop taking it a certain number of days before your procedure. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
    • Ask the doctor who ordered this medicine if it is safe for you to stop taking it before this procedure. 
    • If you have had a stent, especially a stent in your heart or brain, DO NOT STOP taking your blood thinner medicine until you are instructed by the doctor who placed the stent.
    • If your doctor has told you NOT to stop taking these medicines before this procedure, please call 614-293-6255 and ask to talk to a nurse.
  • If you take aspirin or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and Nuprin), naproxen (Aleve), or celecoxib (Celebrex) for pain, you do NOT need to stop taking these medicines before this procedure.
  • You should continue all your other medicines with a sip of water unless you are instructed to make a change before this procedure.  
     

Evening before your test

You may eat your regular meals until 8 hours before your test. Do not eat any solid food or eat or drink any milk products until after your test is done. You can drink clear liquids up to 4 hours before your test (no red or purple).

You can have:

  • Water
  • Fruit juices that you can see through such as apple, white cranberry or white grape
  • Popsicles or ice chips
  • Ginger ale or lemon-lime soda
  • Gatorade, other sports drinks or other drink mix like Kool-Aid
  • Clear broth or bouillon
  • Jell-O
  • Coffee or tea (no milk or cream added)
     

Morning of your test

  • You can take a small sip of water to take any allowed medicines within 2 hours of your test. Your test will be delayed or canceled if you drink anything other than a sip of water with medicines. 
  • Please leave all valuables and jewelry including piercings at home.
  • Female patients should come prepared to give a urine sample in case a pregnancy test is needed.
  • Your driver must be present when you sign in to proceed with your test.
  • Bring these with you to your test:
    • A list of all medicines, including prescription and over the counter medicines and any vitamin or herbal products you are taking
    • A list of your allergies
    • List of medical conditions and previous surgeries
    • A copy of advanced directive such as a living will or power of attorney
    • Your photo identification, insurance card and co-payment, if needed
  • Plan to arrive at the arrival time on your letter so the staff can get you ready. Expect to be here 2 to 4 hours for your test and recovery time.
  • If your driver leaves the facility during the test, we will need a phone number where he or she can be reached. Your driver needs to be within 30 minutes of the endoscopy unit.

If you have illegal drugs or alcohol in your system, your procedure may be rescheduled for your safety. 
 

Having the test

  • After you have registered, you will change into a hospital gown.
  • A nurse will review your medicine list and medical history.
  • An intravenous (IV) line will be placed to give you medicine during the test. Let the nurse know right away if you have had problems having an IV placed in the past.
  • When the nurse has you ready, you will be taken to a private room, where your test will be done.
  • You will be given a consent form to read over. The doctor will talk to you and go over the consent form. Ask any questions you have about the test before you sign the form.
  • You will be given medicines in your IV to help you relax. You will likely rest on your left side.
  • Your throat may be sprayed with a numbing medicine.
  • The doctor will pass another tube through your mouth and into your esophagus, stomach and small intestines.
  • The test will take about 15 minutes.
     

After the test

  • You will be taken to a recovery area for 30 to 45 minutes.
  • You will then change back into your clothes.
  • The doctor will speak with you and your family member before you leave.
  • Plan to take the day off of work and rest at home after the test.
  • You should have an adult with you to help you at home after the test for at least 6 hours.
  • The medicine given during the test can cause you to have memory changes and impair your judgment. You should not drive, operate machinery, drink alcohol, or make any legal decisions until the day after your test.

© 2015 - April 27, 2023, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care. For more health information, contact the Library for Health Information at 614-293-3707 or health-info@osu.edu.