Objective: To compare the quality of endosonographic study using hand-made balloon and original imported balloon.
Materials and Methods: The hand-made balloon was made from a latex surgical glove no. 6 . There were three steps in making the balloon. First, the latex finger bag was placed to cover the tip of ultrasound endoscope. Second, the latex finger bag was tied around the metal groove at the tip of the transducer casing with #2/0 silk, and the excessive portion of the latex finger bag was trimmed off. Third, the balloon was inflated with water by pushing the air/water valve at the handle of the ultrasound endoscope to assess the integrity. Endoscopists then investigated GI diseased patients by EUS gastroscope covered with hand-made balloon. Finally, the endoscopists assessed the quality score of the endosonographic image using PSU hand-made balloon compared with imported disposable balloon.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the mean quality score of endosonographic image using handmade balloons and original imported balloon (p=0.82) (95% CI = -0.256 to 0.323)
Conclusion: This hand-made balloon using materials available in our hospital is much cheaper than the commercially available balloon without compromising the quality of the endosonography imaging. It is simple to make and we believe that its use is appropriate in the current situation of economic constraint in our country.