How Camera Capsules Are Excreted: A Smooth Exit?

Capsule endoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to capture images of a patient's digestive tract. The camera is housed within a pill-sized capsule that the patient swallows, and it takes thousands of images as it moves through the body. The capsule is typically excreted within 8 hours of ingestion, and it can be safely flushed down the toilet. However, if the capsule has not been excreted within a few days, it is recommended to contact a doctor, as there is a small risk of the capsule getting stuck in the gastrointestinal tract.

How long does it take to pass a camera capsule?

The capsule will normally leave the stomach within four hours of swallowing. Transit times vary, but the capsule typically takes between two and six hours to pass through the small bowel, and eight hours to pass through the entire digestive tract. However, this can vary depending on the individual, and may take longer. If the capsule does not pass within two weeks, it may be stuck, and you should contact a healthcare professional.

What happens if the camera capsule gets stuck?

It is rare for a camera capsule to get stuck in the body, but it can happen. If the capsule gets stuck, it can cause a bowel obstruction, which can be serious. The main risk is the capsule becoming lodged in an abnormal narrowing (stricture) or pouch (diverticulum) in the small or large intestine. People with Crohn's disease may be at a higher risk of the capsule getting stuck.

If the camera capsule gets stuck, there are several ways for a doctor to retrieve it, including medication and a double balloon enteroscopy. In some cases, the doctor may need to perform surgery or another endoscopy to remove the capsule.

If the capsule does not pass within two weeks, it may be stuck, and you should contact a healthcare professional. They may order an X-ray or a CT scan to see if the capsule is still inside the body.

It is important to note that the battery life of the capsule is only about 8-12 hours, so it will stop transmitting images after that time.

How do you prepare for a camera capsule procedure?

Preparing for a camera capsule procedure involves several steps to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare for the procedure:

One Week Before the Procedure:

• Notify the nursing staff about any major health or medication changes since scheduling. This information is crucial for receiving accurate preparation instructions.
• Pick up the prescribed bowel preparation kit from your pharmacy. Calling ahead to ensure they have the prescription is recommended.
• Purchase Simethicone (Gas Ex) Chewable tablets, which help with gas and bloating.
• Avoid iron pills or vitamins with iron, seeds, nuts, tomatoes, berries, and multigrain breads. These items can affect the clarity of the images captured by the camera capsule.

One Day Before the Procedure:

• Refrain from using any tobacco products for 24 hours before the test.
• Start a clear liquid diet after lunch. Avoid solid foods, red or purple liquids, chewing gum, and alcohol. Clear liquids include water, apple juice, colorless sports drinks, and other transparent beverages.
• Do not consume any liquids after 10:00 pm. However, you may take a small sip of water to take any regular evening medications.
• Drink 500 ml (16 oz) of the bowel prep solution around 6:00 pm to clear your digestive tract. Drinking through a straw or sucking on hard candy can help improve the taste.
• After finishing half of the prep solution, drink two 240 ml (8 oz) glasses of water.
• Nausea is a common side effect of the prep solution. If you experience nausea, stop drinking for 30 minutes and then restart. Walking around may help relieve the nausea.
• Bowel movements usually occur within 3 hours of starting the prep solution, but it may take longer. It is advisable to stay near a restroom.
• For diabetic patients, take only half the dose of your diabetic medication(s) in the evening before the procedure. Do not take any dose on the day of the procedure.

Day of the Procedure:

• Do not consume any food or drinks, including candy and chewing gum.
• Chew two Simethicone (Gas Ex) tablets in the morning to reduce gas and bloating. Do not take any other medications.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes, preferably a two-piece outfit.
• Arrive on time at the designated location with your completed paperwork, photo ID, and insurance card.

After Ingesting the Capsule:

• Refrain from eating or drinking for at least two hours after ingesting the capsule.
• After two hours, you may start consuming clear liquids (apple, white grape, or white cranberry juice), sports drinks, broth, popsicles, hard candy, and tea or coffee without milk or cream.
• You may have a light snack four hours after ingesting the capsule.
• Avoid any sources of powerful electromagnetic fields, such as MRI machines or amateur (HAM) radios, until the capsule is excreted.
• The procedure typically lasts approximately 8 hours. During this time, avoid strenuous activity, sudden movements, and bending or stooping.
• Confirm every 15 minutes that the small green/blue light on the data recorder is blinking. Contact the medical office if the blinking stops.
• Record the time and nature of any events, such as eating, drinking, or unusual sensations. Bring these notes when returning the equipment.
• Call the medical office if you experience abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms.

After Completing the Capsule Endoscopy:

• Return all the equipment as instructed at the beginning of the test.
• Contact the medical office if you cannot verify the excretion of the capsule or if you experience unexplained abdominal pain or vomiting.

What are the risks of a camera capsule procedure?

Capsule endoscopy is a generally safe, non-invasive procedure that does not require sedation or anaesthesia. However, there are some risks associated with the procedure that patients should be aware of.

The main risk is that the capsule becomes lodged in an abnormal narrowing (stricture) or pouch (diverticulum) in the small or large intestine. This risk is slightly higher for people with Crohn's disease, with 2.6% of people with the disease experiencing a stuck capsule compared to 1.3% to 1.4% of people overall. Other conditions that increase the risk of capsule retention include difficulty swallowing and previous surgery on the digestive tract. If the capsule becomes stuck, doctors can retrieve it through several methods, including medication and double balloon enteroscopy.

Another risk is the potential for an electromagnetic field to erase the data from the capsule and cause internal injury. Therefore, it is important to stay away from sources of powerful electromagnetic fields, such as MRI machines, while the capsule is in the body.

There are also certain groups of people for whom capsule endoscopy may pose additional risks, or where the use of the capsule has not been sufficiently studied. These include people with an obstruction in the bowel, previous surgery on the GI tract, or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). For these individuals, doctors may recommend modifying the procedure or using a different diagnostic test.

In very rare cases, the capsule might get stuck inside the body and not pass out of the system. If this happens, an X-ray may be ordered to check its location, and medical intervention may be required to remove it.

What are the advantages of a camera capsule procedure?

The camera capsule procedure, or capsule endoscopy, offers a way to visualise the gastrointestinal (GI) tract without the need for sedation or anesthesia, making it a non-invasive diagnostic procedure. Here are the advantages of a camera capsule procedure:

Non-Invasive and Safe

The camera capsule is no larger than a vitamin pill, and patients swallow it easily with a sip of water. It is coated to make it easy to swallow. The capsule is safe and does not cause any discomfort as it travels through the body. Patients do not need to undergo sedation or anesthesia during the procedure.

Visualise the Gastrointestinal Tract

The camera capsule takes thousands of images as it passes through the stomach, intestines, colon, and rectum, providing a detailed view of the GI tract. This helps gastroenterologists diagnose a variety of conditions, such as polyps, ulcers, bleeding, inflammatory bowel diseases, and cancer.

Wireless Data Transmission

The camera capsule transmits images wirelessly to a recorder worn by the patient. This recorder can be a belt with a screen or a device attached to the body with sensors. The data is then uploaded by the doctor for analysis, allowing for a detailed review of the GI tract.

Outpatient Procedure

Capsule endoscopy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning patients can go home and resume their daily activities after swallowing the capsule. They do not need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Detects Various Conditions

The camera capsule procedure can help diagnose a range of conditions, including gastrointestinal bleeding, colon polyps, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and cancer. It is especially useful in detecting the source of GI bleeding when other procedures have failed to find the cause.

Minimally Disruptive

Patients can resume eating and drinking a few hours after the procedure, starting with light snacks and liquids. They can also return to their regular diet after passing the capsule, which usually takes about eight hours.

Frequently asked questions