📩 19/09/2023 12:29
Prof. from Memorial Şişli Hospital Gastroenterology Department. Dr. Yaşar Çolak gave information about the capsule endoscopy procedure. Stating that capsule endoscopy is the process of imaging the entire digestive system by swallowing a transparent capsule with a camera inside, Prof. from Memorial Şişli Hospital Gastroenterology Department. Dr. Yaşar Çolak said, “Capsule endoscopy is almost always used to visualize the small intestines along with the entire nerve canal. The reason for this is that it is possible to adequately visualize the esophagus and stomach with gastroscopy and the large intestine with colonoscopy. It is not possible to visualize the approximately 5-7 meter small intestines between the stomach and the colon with these classical methods. However, in recent years, it has become possible to visualize the small intestines endoscopically with the double balloon enteroscopy method.” he said.
"It is most commonly used in small intestine diseases."
Underlining that the most common reason for capsule endoscopy is that the bleeding focus cannot be detected in gastroscopy and colonoscopy in people with digestive system bleeding and therefore the small intestine is scanned, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Çolak said, “It is especially preferred for the diagnosis of diseases of the small intestine. The small intestine cannot be easily visualized with other endoscopic methods, and therefore capsule endoscopy may be an ideal option for examining this region. In patients experiencing chronic bleeding due to reasons such as anemia, capsule endoscopy can be used to find the source of bleeding. Capsule endoscopy may be useful in the diagnosis and follow-up of Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease affecting the small intestines. Capsule endoscopy can be used to diagnose and monitor digestive system polyps. Apart from this, it can also be preferred for intestinal inflammation and tumor screening.” said.
"The camera inside the capsule constantly takes photos and transmits them to the device."
Prof. Dr. Yaşar Çolak stated the following in his statement:
”Before the procedure, cleansing of the intestines is required with medications and a liquid diet. The process begins with swallowing a transparent capsule of approximately 10×5 mm with a camera inside.” He said and continued: “The camera inside the capsule constantly takes photos and these images are transmitted and recorded to a small device on the person via Bluetooth technology. The capsule passes through the small intestine and reaches the large intestine in approximately 6-8 hours. After the capsule is flushed into the toilet, the images recorded on the device are later transferred to the computer and these images are examined by the doctor. In this way, visualization of the small intestine is provided. There is almost no transaction risk. It should not be performed only when there is a suspicion of a disease that may cause stenosis and obstruction in the intestines, such as a tumor. “The procedure is very comfortable and painless.”
“Capsule endoscopy is not an alternative to normal endoscopy or colonoscopy.”
Stating that capsule endoscopy is a very easy, low-risk and comfortable examination method, Prof. Dr. Yaşar Çolak said that, contrary to popular belief, endoscopy is not a method that can be used instead of standard endoscopy and colonoscopy.
Stating that in normal endoscopic procedures, the stomach and intestines are inflated with air and all desired areas are examined in detail as desired, Çolak said, “In endoscopic procedures, a biopsy can be taken from the desired area or some procedures can be performed for treatment purposes. Therefore, capsule endoscopy should not be considered as a method that can be used instead of classical endoscopic methods. In capsule endoscopy, not every desired area, for example between the folds of the stomach and intestines, may be seen clearly. However, in some special cases, capsule endoscopy is a very useful and easily applied method. Lesions that can be detected during capsule endoscopy can be treated either with double balloon endoscopy or surgical methods. "According to the existing disease and the patient's condition and needs, the specialist doctor will make a comprehensive evaluation to determine the most appropriate method." He made a statement.