The first international conference on capsule and double balloon endoscopy (ICCD) will be held in Paris on 27th - 28th August 2010. The ICCD is placed in the continuity of several previous meetings dedicated to either of these techniques. Both techniques have dramatically changed the approach to intestinal diseases but the time has now arrived to look beyond the techniques themselves and evaluate the clinical relevance of these advances to modify our daily practice in the management of patients with intestinal diseases. The need for such a combined approach has clearly been understood by our partners, Given Imaging and Fujinon (Europe) GmbH, who have decided to jointly support this international conference. The scope of the first ICCD is actually to disc uss the role of capsule and double balloon endoscopy in a modern approach to intestinal and colonic diseases. Each of the scientific sessions will be aimed at discussing how these techniques are modifying the diagnostic work-up of digestive diseases and the understanding of their pathophysiology. Therapeutic potential will also be discussed. Some sessions will more specifically tackle the technical issues related to capsule and double balloon endoscopy. They will, on one hand, bring new information on the use of capsule endoscopy for colo-rectal cancer screening, the results of several studies being available at the time of the conference and on the other hand, show the usefulness of the double balloon technique to perform diagnostic and more importantly therapeutic endoscopic procedures in patients with surgically modified gastro-intestinal anatomy, e.g. in obese patients after bariatric surgery.

We would like to emphasize the original design of the scientific sessions, mixing state-of-the-art lectures, original studies submitted as abstracts and videos. The ICCD will bring together experts of international fame, coming from Americas, Asia and Europe. Scientific discussions will be powered by their different expertise and background.

We wish that the ICCD meeting allows fruitful and friendly exchanges between all participants. The prestigious environment of the Eiffel tower and the charming «bords de Seine» walking areas will create a quiet but very effective atmosphere around the conference. We hope to welcome you in Paris for the ICCD, we encourage you to submit abstracts and videos to make the sessions more attractive with new data and finally wish that the ICCD conference will bring you valuable information for your daily practice.

Bienvenue à Paris et bon congrès!