Adoption of video capsule endoscopy has been slow, but there are now four FDA-approved devices and others available in China. It is now generally realized that there is an expanding role for these devices, not only in the small intestine but in the GI tract in general. In collaboration with Consulting Editor, Dr. Charles Lightdale, guest editor Dr. David Cave has assembled expert authors to provide clinical reviews that address where we are now, areas of controversy that still need resolution, and where the field is likely to develop over the next 5 to 10 years. Articles are specifically devoted to the following topics: Training, Reading and Reporting for Video Capsule Endoscopy; Indications and Contraindications: Complications of Capsule Endoscopy; Preparation, Prokinetics, and Surface Active Agents; Role of Capsule in Small Intestinal Bleeding; Role of Capsule Endoscopy in IBD; Role of Video Capsule Endoscopy in Liver Disease; Role of Video Capsule Endoscopy in Alternative Settings; Timing and Use of the Capsule Endoscopy in the Acute Care Setting; Role of Video Capsule Endoscopy as a Prelude to Deep Enteroscopy; Location of Capsule and Provocation Testing; Cost Effectiveness of Video Capsule Endoscopy; Artificial Intelligence in Capsule Endoscopy; and Novel Clinical Applications and Technical Developments in Video Capsule Endoscopy.

Adoption of video capsule endoscopy has been slow, but there are now four FDA-approved devices and others available in China. It is now generally realized that there is an expanding role for these devices, not only in the small intestine but in the GI tract in general. In collaboration with Consulting Editor, Dr. Charles Lightdale, guest editor Dr. David Cave has assembled expert authors to provide clinical reviews that address where we are now, areas of controversy that still need resolution, and where the field is likely to develop over the next 5 to 10 years. Articles are specifically devoted to the following topics: Training, Reading and Reporting for Video Capsule Endoscopy; Indications and Contraindications: Complications of Capsule Endoscopy; Preparation, Prokinetics, and Surface Active Agents; Role of Capsule in Small Intestinal Bleeding; Role of Capsule Endoscopy in IBD; Role of Video Capsule Endoscopy in Liver Disease; Role of Video Capsule Endoscopy in Alternative Settings; Timing and Use of the Capsule Endoscopy in the Acute Care Setting; Role of Video Capsule Endoscopy as a Prelude to Deep Enteroscopy; Location of Capsule and Provocation Testing; Cost Effectiveness of Video Capsule Endoscopy; Artificial Intelligence in Capsule Endoscopy; and Novel Clinical Applications and Technical Developments in Video Capsule Endoscopy.

Endoscopic access to the small bowel has advanced significantly since the introduction of video capsule endoscopy and deep enteroscopy in early 2000. Other major advances have occurred in imaging modalities involving computed tomography and magnetic resonance studies. Due to these advances, the recent 2015 ACG guideline changed the terminology from “obscure to “small bowel bleeding because the majority of cases now can be found to have a small bowel source. The improvements in technology have advanced our ability to visualized vascular findings, inflammatory lesions, and small bowel neoplasms. Articles in this issue are devoted to these improvements in technology.

The field of inflammatory bowel disease has evolved in many ways. The first has been the revolution in medical therapy for the disease. With the advent of biologic therapy, the aspirational goal of therapy has become mucosal healing. These medications have also made it possible to avoid or delay surgery for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Although non-invasive strategies such as MR or CT enterography or stool-based assays are helpful, they have not been able to replace the prognostic information provided by endoscopy. Simultaneously, the quality and spectrum of tools available to perform endoscopy has widened. High resolution endoscopes are now the norm and are nearly as good as chromoendoscopy for identifying dysplasia in ulcerative colitis patients. Most gastroenterologists also perform dilations but do not generally do this for patients with IBD. Finally, newer devices such as enteroscopes, endoscopic ultrasound, and endomicroscopes are being incorporated into the algorithms to diagnose and treat complications of IBD. This issue highlights all of these advances by the experts in their fields.

In this issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America, guest editor Dr. Catharine M. Walsh brings her considerable expertise to the topic of Pediatric Endoscopy. Since its inception in the early 1980s, pediatric endoscopy has seen dramatic innovations in both diagnostic procedures and advanced procedures that are increasingly being performed by pediatric trained endoscopists. In this issue, top experts bring you fully up to date with recent advances in this fast-changing field. Contains 14 practice-oriented topics including pediatric unsedated transnasal endoscopy; tools for improving quality in pediatric endoscopy; artificial intelligence in pediatric endoscopy; advances in endoscopy for pediatric inflammatory bowel disease; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on pediatric endoscopy, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

This book is simultaneously a superb atlas and a detailed guide to all aspects of video capsule endoscopy. History, technique, performance, reading, indications, contraindications, outcomes, complications and alternative methods are described systematically by a large panel of experts. In addition, the full range of small bowel diseases, from the common to the rare, are described and illustrated using a unique and exhaustive collection of capsule endoscopy images that are accompanied by corresponding images of enteroscopy, surgery, radiology and histology whenever possible. The newest technology of colon capsule endoscopy is included and exciting potential future developments are also considered. This book will be indispensable for all who use the technique or are considering establishing a video capsule endoscopy service.

Optimizing Endoscopic Operations, An Issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics