n The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Capsule Endoscopy A guide to the test Information for patients
This is an information leaflet about Capsule Endoscopy. Along with this leaflet is a consent form, a booklet called About the consent form and information about MOVIPREP bowel preparation. Please bring the consent form with you on the day of the test. You do not need to sign the consent form in advance. What is Capsule Endoscopy? A Capsule Endoscopy is a test that involves swallowing a capsule which passes through your digestive system taking pictures of your small bowel. The capsule is the size of a large jelly bean and is swallowed with a drink. The capsule contains a tiny camera, a light and a battery. The photographs it takes are transmitted to sensors in a thick belt that you wear for the duration of the test. The belt is connected to a small data recorder box that is worn in a bag over your shoulder. Why am I having a Capsule Endoscopy and what are the alternatives? A Capsule Endoscopy is a way of examining the small bowel for conditions such as inflammation or blood loss. Alternative tests include a CT or MRI scan which usually provides the doctor with less detailed information about the lining of the bowel. Another alternative is to have an enteroscopy which is an endoscopy test that is invasive and can be uncomfortable. What are the risks of having a Capsule Endoscopy? Capsule Endoscopy is generally a safe procedure, on rare occasions (1 in 200) a Capsule may get stuck in the small bowel. This usually only occurs in areas of abnormality such as strictures (narrowing) of the bowel and could require an operation to remove it. If your doctor suspects that you may have a narrowing in your small bowel, you may be sent for a Patency Capsule, CT or MRI scan to check that it is safe to proceed. Occasionally the test may not work because of poor bowel preparation or technical failure. You must not have an MRI scan until the capsule has passed. 2 3
What preparation is required? The small bowel needs to be empty to obtain good views with the capsule. We have provided you with a laxative bowel preparation to clear your bowel (unless you have been advised otherwise by your doctor). Please see the enclosed instructions for information about the preparation and how it should be taken. Do I keep taking my medication? Please continue taking your prescribed medications. However, if you are taking iron tablets or supplements, stop taking them five days before your appointment. If you are taking any painkillers that contain Codeine, Tramadol, Co-Proxamol or Morphine you should not take these for 12 hours before your appointment. If you are in any doubt, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you are taking any treatment for diabetes please contact the pre-assessment nurses on 0113 392 2585 for advice. What happens on the day of my test? After booking in at reception you will be collected by a nurse or doctor who will take you through for your test? They will take some medical details from you and give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. They will go through the consent form with you and ask you to sign it. A belt and data recorder will be fitted and you will swallow the capsule with a drink. After this you can leave the department. You will be given a contact telephone number for advice on the day of the test. You may have a drink (without milk) two hours after swallowing the capsule and a light lunch after four hours. You will be required to return to the department eight hours later to have the equipment removed. If you are unable to return to home and plan to stay in the department for eight hours please bring your lunch with you. 4 5
What happens after the test? After the equipment has been removed and the information downloaded the pictures will be looked at by a nurse or doctor and a report will be sent to your consultant (this may take a week or two). You should eventually pass the capsule along with your bowel motions. You do not need to return the capsule and it can be flushed down the toilet. You may not notice the capsule in your bowel motions. If you experience abdominal pain after the test then you should seek medical advice. If the capsule is still in your small bowel at the end of the test you may be contacted to see if you have had any problems or have seen it pass through. I have a pacemaker. Can I have the test? If you have a pacemaker then you will still be able to have the test but you will be asked to stay in the department for few hours after taking the capsule. Please ring the Nurse Endoscopists on 0113 392 8010 to discuss this. Notes 6 7
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 3rd edition Ver.1 Developed by: Jo Corrigan, Matron, Andy Potts, Helen Bailey and Julie Bowen, Nurse Endoscopists Produced by Medical Illustration Services 20170510_001/JG LN003130 Publication date 07/2017 Review date 07/2019