What is a Pillcam Capsule Endoscopy?
The Pillcam Capsule Endoscopy is a procedure that involves the swallowing of a small, vitamin-sized electronic pill, which makes its way through the digestive tract while taking 2 pictures per second, for a total of 50,000 photos comprising of a total of 8 hours of footage. These photos are revolutionary because as of today, this is the only minimally invasive procedure that allows for visualization of all 21 feet of the small intestine.
This procedure requires 10 hours of fasting prior to its start, in addition to the consumption of a certain quantity of laxatives to stimulate a bowel movement. Patients arrive in the morning, have sensors placed on their abdomen, carry around a data recorder, which stores the vast amount of picture information, and swallow the pill. They return later simply for the removal of the equipment. This is a very simple and painless procedure.