What is capsule endoscopy?
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Your physician has determined that as part of your medical evaluation, you should undergo an examination known as Capsule Endoscopy. This procedure involves ingesting a small (the size of a large vitamin pill) Given Imaging® Pill Cam® which will pass naturally through your digestive system whilst taking pictures of the intestine. The images are transmitted to the Sensor Array™, which is placed on your abdomen; they are stored on the Data Recorder. After 8 hours, you will remove the Sensor Belt™ and Data Recorder and return it to hospital for processing.
The Pill Cam® is disposable and will pass naturally. In the rare case that it is not excreted naturally, it will need to be removed endoscopically or surgically. It is important that you follow the instructions below for your physician to be able to get accurate information.
1) After lunch, start your Approved Clear Fluid diet as prescribed by your physician.
2) From 10pm, do not eat or drink except for necessary medications with a sip of water.
3) Do not take any medication beginning 2 hours prior to your examination.
4) Abstain from smoking 24 hours prior to your examination.
1) Please wear a tight fitting singlet or T-shirt for the sensor belt to fit over (you may wear a loose fitting item of clothing to wear over)
2) Arrive at hospital at the agreed time.
3) You will be asked for your consent and checked-in for the procedure.
4) The Sensor Array™ will be attached to your body and attached to the Data Recorder; you will then be instructed to ingest the Pill Cam®.
1) Do not eat or drink for 2 hours. After 4 hours, you may have a light snack and occasional small glass of water. After the examination you may return to your normal diet. Your physician may prescribe a diet different to this.
2) You must contact nurse immediately if you suffer from any abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting during Capsule Endoscopy.
3) Stay away from any powerful radio fields such as MRI or amateur radio during the procedure.
4) Occasionally some images can be lost due to radio interference or equipment malfunction; this may result in the need to repeat the examination.
5) Capsule Endoscopy last’s approximately 8 hours and is considered complete according to your physicians instructions. You must leave the Sensor Array™ and Data Recorder on and connected during this time. The equipment must be treated with utmost care and protection due to its sensitivity and value.
6) Every 15 minutes, check that the Blue Light on the Data Recorder is flashing; this means it is capturing images. Please contact Complete Gastro Health if it is no longer flashing blue.
7) Please return to hospital at 4pm to have equipment removed.
8) Approved Clear Fluids include- water, apple juice, jelly (avoid red), Schweppes Lime Cordial, black tea/herbal/coffee, Gastrolyte, Lucozade, clear soup/broth, Bonox, beef or chicken stock in water, sports drinks (eg. Powerade or Gatorade), icy poles (avoid red)
Before you agree to this procedure you should be aware of the reason for which it is being proposed, the alternatives and the problems that can occur. No treatment or procedure is totally risk free, but routine capsule endoscopy is extremely safe.
The main complications following a capsule endoscopy are mentioned below.
1) There is a very small risk of the capsule getting stuck in the bowel if a narrowing is present (approximately 1 in 200). This is not always known before the procedure. If the capsule does get stuck you may require an operation.
2) There is also a risk if the patient is unable to swallow the capsule or the capsule gets stuck in the oesophagus requiring endoscopic retrieval.
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