title: Initial experience of real-time capsule endoscopy in monitoring progress of the videocapsule through the upper GI tract.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Digestive Disease, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Larry H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Grace L H
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: James Y W
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Joseph J Y
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: Wai K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Leung
mesh_terms: 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