Patient Instructions for Small Bowel Video Capsule Endoscopy with the Sensor Belt
To ensure the best results for your PillCam® Video capsule endoscopy of the small bowel, follow the instructions carefully and completely.
7 days before Video Capsule Endoscopy:
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Please stop any iron tablets (e.g., ferrous sulphate) for 7 days prior to the procedure.
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Try to avoid codeine or opiate containing painkillers (e.g. cocodamol, dihydrocodeine) for 7 days before the test. If you feel that you are unable to stop this, please contact us to discuss further.
48hrs before your capsule diabetic patients ONLY:
If you are insulin or tablet controlled diabetic, you will need to contact the Diabetes Specialist Nurse at your GP surgery at least 48 hours before your procedure. She will advise you on the management of your diabetes prior to your appointment.
Day before Video Capsule Endoscopy:
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From 8 am the day before, please do not eat solid food. You can have clear soups and plenty of fluids until midnight.
To get the best result from your study, a bowel cleansing agent is taken at 4 pm the day before the procedure. You have been provided with a sachet of picolax/citrafleet. Dissolve the contents of the sachet in a glass or cup of water and drink all the contents. Follow this with 1 litre of clear fluids over the next 2 hours and then continue to drink plenty of fluids until midnight.
If you take any oral medicine, do not take it an hour either side of drinking your dose of picolax/citrafleet.
Following this you will experience a period of frequent bowel actions and diarrhoea. You may find that applying a small amount of Vaseline/Sudocreme to your back passage (anus), prevents discomfort during the bowel preparation.
Please drink at least 1-2 drinks per hour while you are having loose stools.
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From midnight the night before, do not drink (except for necessary medication with a sip of water).
Day of Video Capsule Endoscopy:
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Do not take any medication 2 hours before having the exam.
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Wear an upper garment of thin, natural fibre such as a T-shirt that is long enough to reach at least to hip level and will not ride up above the belt.
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Arrive for your appointment at the scheduled time: 8.00 AM.
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On your arrival the procedure and risks of the examination will be explained by the Clinical Endoscopist: possible retention of the device in the small bowel. In patients who undergo the test to evaluate for bleeding, the risk is very low, approximately one to two percent. For patients with Crohn's Disease, the risk may increase to four to five percent. You will have the opportunity to discuss your procedure and ask questions before providing your informed consent.
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A belt containing the sensors will be placed around your waist and connected to a data recorder.
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You will be asked to swallow the capsule with a little water containing 1ml of Infacol.
After swallowing the Capsule:
Contact the Clinical Endoscopist’s immediately if you suffer from any abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting during the procedure 01752 432163.
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You can leave the hospital as soon as the equipment is connected. There is no capacity for you to remain within the Endoscopy Department throughout the day.
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2 hours after swallowing the capsule you may have fluids.
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4 hours after swallowing the capsule you may have a light meal.
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Be sure the sensor belt is tight at the waist. Do not attach anything to it.
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Check the blue flashing recorder every 15 minutes to be sure it is blinking twice per second. If it stops blinking or changes colour, note the time and contact the Clinical Endoscopist on 01752 432163/432137.
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Do not disconnect the equipment or completely remove the recorder at any time during the procedure.
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Treat the recorder carefully. Avoid sudden movements and banging of the recorder.
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You must not have an MRI scan during the test or be near amateur (ham) radio.
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After Completing SB Video Capsule Endoscopy return to the Endoscopy Unit at 5.00 PM to have the equipment removed.
Post Video Capsule Endoscopy:
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You can resume a normal diet as soon the examination is completed.
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Your SB Video capsule Endoscopy will be downloaded, reviewed and a report will be sent to the referring Consultant.
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The capsule is disposable and will be excreted from your body naturally into the toilet. Most patients pass the capsule within a few days. However, this can vary from person to person. If you have not seen it or are not sure it has passed out of your body at 14 days, please contact the Clinical Endoscopists on 01752 432163/432137 and we will arrange an abdominal x-ray.
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If you develop unexplained nausea, abdominal pain or vomiting please contact the Clinical Endoscopists. If this occurs out of office hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm please attend the Emergency department.
Until passage of the capsule is confirmed, you must not have an MRI scan as having an MRI scan whilst the capsule is inside your body may result in damage to your intestinal tract or abdominal cavity. If you are not certain the capsule is out of your body, contact your physician for evaluation and possible abdominal X-ray before undergoing an MRI.
