Background: Small intestine capsule endoscopy (CE) is a well evaluated method for non-invasive detection of small-bowel disease. However, colon CE is more recent and so far only scattered trials evaluating its efficacy, in comparison to established colon diagnostic methods, exist. Aims: The aim of the present study therefore was to meta-analyse the data of existing colon CE trials to help determine the yield and miss rate of this new diagnostic modality. Methods: Extensive English language medical literature searches for human studies were performed up to the end of October 2008, using suitable keywords. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified and in eligible studies data on four parameters, i.e. sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), were extracted. Pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained using either the fixed or random-effects model as appropriate. Heterogeneity between studies was evaluated with the Cochran Q test whereas the likelihood of publication bias was assessed by constructing funnel plots. Their symmetry was estimated by the adjusted rank correlation test. Results: Out of 82 initially identified studies, in 4 studies which fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 465 individuals were studied. Capsules were expelled within 10 hours post ingestion in 85.3% (95% CI 66.3-94.5) of the individuals. The pooled data showed CE sensitivity 67.2% (95% CI 62.7-71.3), specificity 75.3% (64.8-83.5), PPV 67.8% (59.5-75.2) and NPV 77% (73-80.6). Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis showed that colon CE is a promising alternative method for colon investigation, including screening for polyps and colorectal cancer.