Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Small bowel capsule endoscopy is a procedure to take pictures of the inside of your small intestine (bowel). Your small bowel connects to your stomach on one end, and your large bowel (colon) on the other. Partly digested food enters your small bowel from your stomach. Your small bowel takes the nutrition out of the food to be used by your body. A capsule endoscopy is done by swallowing a pill size camera. The capsule moves through your stomach and into your small bowel, where pictures are taken.
  
  
• You may need a small bowel capsule endoscopy if you have symptoms, such as blood in your bowel movements (BMs). Symptoms may also include chronic (long-term) stomach pain and diarrhea (liquid BMs). The pictures may show if you have growths, swelling, and bleeding areas in your small bowel. A capsule endoscopy may show if diseases such as Crohn's or celiac disease are causing your symptoms. Having a small bowel capsule endoscopy may help you and your caregiver learn the cause of your symptoms. Learning what is causing your symptoms may allow you to receive needed treatment and prevent further problems.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• You may have stomach pain during your procedure. The pictures taken by the capsule may not be clear. The pictures may not show the cause of your symptoms. You may need another endoscopy procedure. The capsule may get trapped in your body if your intestines are narrow or have a blockage. You may need surgery to remove the capsule from your body.
  
  
• If you do not have the capsule endoscopy, you may not learn the cause of your symptoms. Your symptoms, such as stomach pain or diarrhea, may get worse. You may have growths that are, or could become cancer. You may not get proper treatment. If you have bleeding that is not treated, you may lose large amounts of blood. Blood loss may be life-threatening, and you may die. Talk to your caregiver if you have any questions or concerns about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

• Informed consent: A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.
  
  
• Preparing your bowels: You may be given any of the following:
  
  
  • Bowel cleanser: You may need to drink a special liquid that cleans out your bowel before your procedure.
    
    
  • Medicine:
    
    
    • Anti-gas medicine: You may be given anti-gas medicine before your procedure to decrease the air bubbles in your small bowel.
      
      
    • Prokinetic medicine: Prokinetic medicine may be given to help your bowels empty better. The medicine may help move the capsule through your small bowel during the test.

During your procedure:

• Small sensors will be taped to the skin on your abdomen (stomach) and connected to a recorder. The sensors transfer the pictures of your small bowel to the recorder. The recorder will be attached to a belt that you wear during the procedure. You will be given the pill-sized capsule endoscope to swallow. If you have problems swallowing, the capsule may be placed into your small intestine with a scope. The scope is a long, bendable tube with a light and camera on one end. Once you swallow the capsule, it will travel through your body the same way your food does. The capsule takes 2 to 3 pictures of your small bowel every second.
  
  
• You may be able to leave the care setting while the pictures are being taken. Your caregiver will tell you when to return. Two hours after swallowing the capsule, you may be able to drink liquids, and take medicines. Four hours after swallowing the capsule, you may also be able to eat a small meal. You will need to avoid heavy exercise during the procedure. It will take up to eight hours for the capsule to pass through your small bowel. Caregivers will remove the sensors and recorder when the procedure is complete. The pictures from the recorder will be transferred into a computer.

After your procedure:

Caregivers view the pictures of your small bowel and look for any problems. A caregiver may tell you the results soon after your procedure. You may also get the results of your procedure during a follow-up visit with your caregiver. The capsule should come out of your body in a BM 1 to 2 days after your procedure. You do not need to return the capsule to your caregiver.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.