Capsule Endoscopy (Pillcam)
This tiny capsule is swallowed by an alert, fasted patient and travels through the gullet, stomach and small bowel for 16 hours taking photos. Views are obtained of the relatively inaccessible small bowel mucosa. This examination is useful for patients with anaemia or gastrointestinal bleeding that defies diagnosis with upper or lower endoscopy. It is generally a very safe procedure although there is a small risk that the Pillcam could be retained in the bowel requiring surgical intervention to remove.
The procedure is usually performed as an outpatient and the Pillcam is usually swallowed at 08.30am in the rooms at Medici. The patient then returns the next day and the information is downloaded onto our computer.
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