GI Services

Gastrointestinal Procedures

Capsule Endoscopy
Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC) is pleased to offer capsule endoscopy, a procedure that uses PillCam to help the doctor see what is happening in the your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, specifically the small bowel. The PillCam makes it easier to diagnose diseases including Crohn's disease, celiac disease, benign and cancerous tumors and ulcerative colitis.

Preparation for the Procedure
With PillCam, the preparation is relatively easy. Following an overnight fast, you are asked to drink a glass of water and swallow thePillCam that is hidden inside a capsule. A nurse attaches sensors with adhesive to the stomach that help the doctor identify the location of the photos he will later review. Finally, you will be given a small recording device worn on a belt around the waist during the procedure. There is no pain as the camera moves through the esophagus and small intestine by natural digestive contractions.

The camera will wind its way through the digestive tract, taking the same path as food. The camera's trip takes about eight hours, capturing up to 50,000 pictures during that time. At the end of the eight hours, you will return to the doctor's office or GI Lab where the sensors and the recording device are removed. The capsule is disposable and passes naturally with a bowel movement, usually within 24 to 72 hours.

For more information, talk with your physician or call the ASK-A-NURSE Resource Center at 913-676-7777.