The endoscopic capsule is a method of imaging and investigating the entire small intestine. The small intestine cannot be investigated by conventional gastroscopy or colonoscopy except for its beginning and end, which represent a very small part of its total length.
The endoscopic capsule allows the investigation of the mucosa of the small intestine along its entire length, capturing thousands of images. This material is transmitted wirelessly to an image recorder. The set of images taken during the examination, which lasts about 8-10 hours, creates a video which is then studied by the doctor to draw conclusions about the examination.
The main indication for its implementation is the investigation of visible or invisible gastrointestinal bleeding, it can also offer important information in the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or tumors of the small intestine, coeliac disease, the investigation of chronic diarrhoea and chronic abdominal pain.
Absolute contraindications for the examination are:• Narrowing or blockage of the digestive tract• Dysphagia and severe motility disorders of the digestive system
Relative contraindications are:• Pregnancy• The presence of diverticulae• Multiple Zenker diverticulum• Gastroparesis• History of multiple abdominal surgeries
Before the examination
There must be a preparation of the bowel with laxatives and fluids for 24 hours before the procedure and nil by mouth to ensure that the camera will capture clear images as it travels through the digestive tract.
The equipment is removed in the afternoon of the same day, and the doctor sees the recording on a video on the computer.
Patients that have a permanent pacemaker may need to be hospitalized during capsule endoscopy for electrocardiographic monitoring during the procedure.
How is the examination performed?
The unit nurse will apply the recording system to the patient which consists of 8 special stickers-sensors which are placed in the abdomen and chest of the patient and a special belt that holds the recording machine.
The patient swallows the capsule with a little water and during its passage records two images per second. The images are sent wirelessly to the recorder which collects and records the images and at the end of the examination they are sent to a computer for the analysis of the data by the doctor with the help of a special software.
At this point the patient can go home and continue his daily habits avoiding only intense physical exercise and contact with water.
Two hours after swallowing the capsule the patient can drink water and a light meal is allowed after four hours. Under no circumstances can the belt be removed.
The duration of the examination is about 8-10 hours. The patient returns to our unit where the recording equipment is removed. The capsule is disposable and is naturally eliminated from the body within the next few days.
After the examination
The patient can return to his daily activities and there is no restriction on his feeding.
Are there any risks from the examination?
Complications from the use of the endoscopic capsule are very rare. It is a safe procecedure with minimal risks.
A possible complication is the retention of the capsule due to narrowing of the intestinal lumen, which in some cases may require surgery to remove it.
A very rare complication, in cases of dysphagia, is the entry of the capsule into the airways instead of the digestive system.
Although complications are rare during or after the capsule, contact us in case of severe abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting.
Kadis Savvas MD FRCP (UK)
Gastroenterologist / Hepatologist
Dr Kadis, private Gastroenterologist – Hepatologist has got extensive experience in all aspects of Gastroenterology and Hepatology including gastroesophageal reflux, peptic ulcer disease and haemorrhage, coeliac disease, small bowel disease and capsule endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), diverticular disease, pancreatic disease, cirrhosis etc.
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
Learn moreOKWe may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website.
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visist to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
Privacy Policy