Initial experience of real-time capsule endoscopy in monitoring progress of the videocapsule through the upper GI tract.
BACKGROUND
Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is one of the most important investigations for small bowel examination. Although newer-generation WCE is equipped with a real-time viewer, the role of this advancement in daily practice remains unknown.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine the role of the real-time viewer for monitoring of the videoendoscope passage through the upper GI tract.


METHODS
Case-control comparison.


METHODS
Single tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Forty-five consecutive patients who underwent capsule endoscopy in a 12-month period were studied. Twenty-seven patients received conventional WCE, whereas 18 patients were examined by real-time WCE. Passage into the small bowel was monitored with the real-time viewer in the second group of patients. Gastric transit time and the rate of complete small bowel examination were compared.


METHODS
On-demand polyethylene glycol and erythromycin were prescribed according to the progress as viewed by the real-time monitor.


METHODS
Small bowel examination completion rate and gastric transit time.


RESULTS
Small bowel examination was completed in 19 (70.4%) and 17 (94.4%) patients undergoing conventional and real-time WCE, respectively (P = .048). With the real-time monitoring and on-demand preparations, gastric passage time was significantly reduced (100 vs 59 minutes, P = .02).


CONCLUSIONS
Nonrandomized study.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the real-time viewer may help to secure the passage of the capsule endoscope into the small bowel and hence result in a higher rate of complete small bowel examination.
Lai
Larry H
LH
Institute of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
Wong
Grace L H
GL
Lau
James Y W
JY
Sung
Joseph J Y
JJ
Leung
Wai K
WK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged