Capsule endoscopy is the process of examining the digestive system through a capsule camera. Unlike standard endoscopy, instead of using fiberoptic cables, it is performed by swallowing a capsule with a camera inside and recording images from this capsule throughout the digestive tract. These images are recorded by a device carried on the patient and then viewed on the monitor. After the capsule is swallowed, it is recorded for about 8 hours, and leaves the body after 10 hours. Sensors attached to the abdomen are used for recording. These sensors are removed when the process is finished.
Another important difference of the procedure from standard endoscopy is that it does not require any sedation (sleeping), and you can continue your normal daily activities while carrying the recording device.
Three types of capsules are available today;
PillCam ESO 2: esophagus (esophagus) capsule
PillCam SB 2 : small intestine capsule
PillCam Colon : large intestine capsule
Small intestine examination It is the most widely used capsule endoscopy method today. It is used in bleeding of the digestive system, in cases where the cause of bleeding in the stomach and large intestine cannot be found, in the examination of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, or in diseases such as small intestine tumors.
Capsule Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy with colon capsule is an examination method that has been used in recent years. Standard colonoscopy is still the most sensitive method in the examination of the large intestine, but in patients for whom this cannot be done (for example, patients with sedation contraindications – inconvenient to sleep- or patients who do not accept colonoscopy), capsule colonoscopy can be used for screening because it is a painless procedure and does not require analgesia and sedation. The capsule is swallowed the following morning, after bowel cleansing the day before. The procedure takes about ten hours, of which 8 hours the image of the large intestine is recorded. After the end of this period, the capsule is excreted spontaneously with the stool. These recorded images are then monitored and reported by the physician.
The patient does not need to lie down for 10 hours during the procedure, he can continue his daily activities with the recording device he carries.
