SMALL BOWEL mucosal biopsy in children using a modified Crosby capsule has been an unsatisfactory investigatory technique in our hands because of the uncertainty of the capsule passing through the pylorus. The procedure carried a very high failure rate in the children between 2 and 5 years of age, and a high success rate in children over the age of 5 years. This experience is very similar to that reported by Sheldon and Tempany.1
The length of time required for each procedure has been considerable and the lack of control over the inserted capsule using a flexible tube had been a problem. Previously we have not been able to fix to the capsule a tube which is firm and capable of being manipulated.
Metoclopramide hydrochloride (4-amino-5-chloro-N-[2-(diethylamino) ethyl]-o anisamide hydrochloride) has been shown to increase gastric peristalsis in several studies including those of Grivaux et al2 Tourneur et