A capsule endoscopy is a test done to examine the entire digestive tract instead of just your esophagus, stomach, and upper intestines. During an EGD and/or colonoscopy, the scope is too large to maneuver through the small intestine. This test lets the physician see the small intestine so that they can have more information for diagnosis and treatment. This test is often done to determine what could be causing symptoms such as diarrhea, bleeding, abdominal pain, or anemia.
About CapsoCam Plus®
CapsoCam Plus® is the only small bowel capsule endoscopy with a 360° panoramic view. It does not require any wires or belts and the study is stored on the capsule.
What will the procedure involve?
You will come to our GI For Kids office where you will swallow a large capsule (similar in size to a vitamin). The capsule contains 4 cameras and 16 LED lights for a 360° lateral panoramic view as it travels through your digestive system.
Before the Test
You can read, sign, and submit the consent online if you feel comfortable.
- Consent -If you do not fully understand everything in the consent, you may wait to sign it on the day of the procedure after you have had an opportunity to ask any further questions.
The day before the test, you will need to follow the bowel prep instructions below:
STEP 1: On the day before the procedure, you may only have clear liquids starting at noon (12:00 p.m.) and then nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Clear liquids such as: clear juices (no pulp), tea, clear broth, bouillon, jello, popsicles, sports drinks, and water (NOTHING RED).
There is no limit to the amount of clear liquids you may have and we encourage you to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
STEP 2: At 4:00 pm
12 years old and older: Take 2 dulcolax (5mg laxative) tablets and 4 capfuls of Miralax with 24oz of a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade.
Ages 6-11: Take 1 dulcolax (5mg laxative) tablet and 2 capfuls of Miralax with 24oz of a sports drink like Gatorade or Powerade.
What to Expect and Instructions for During the Capsule Study
In Office Placement:
- You/your child will swallow the capsule with a cup of water. You will be given a box that contains the items to collect and return the capsule once the study is complete.
- At 11:00 AM, you/your child can drink only clear liquids such as popsicles, juice, Gatorade, jello, chicken broth or water. (NOTHING RED OR CARBINATED/NO SOLIDS)
- You will follow the intructions to collect and return the capsule once it has passed.
- USE THE COLLECTION HAT EVERYTIME YOU USE THE RESTROOM UNTIL THE CAPSULE HAS BEEN RETRIEVED. YOU MUST RETURN IT TO GET THE RESULTS.
- After the capsule has passed and you have collected it (or after 20 hrs), you may resume your regular diet.
Hospital/Surgery Center Placement:
- The physician will place the capsule during the procedure in the endoscopy suite. Once the procedure is finished and you/your child are awake, the nurse will offer clear liquids (NOTHING RED OR CARBINATED). The patient will continue with only clear liquids such as popsicles, juice, Gatorade, jello, chicken broth or water. (NOTHING RED OR CARBINATED/NO SOLIDS)
- You will be given a box that contains the items to collect and return the capsule once the study is complete.
- You will follow the intructions to collect and return the capsule once it has passed.
- USE THE COLLECTION HAT EVERYTIME YOU USE THE RESTROOM UNTIL THE CAPSULE HAS BEEN RETRIEVED. YOU MUST RETURN IT TO GET THE RESULTS.
- After the capsule has passed and you have collected it (or after 20 hrs), you may resume your regular diet.
IMPORTANT
*This pill is not disposable and must be collected and returned.
*If you have not seen the pill pass by day 6, please contact us so we can set up an x-ray to check for the capsule.
* NO MRI testing or flying until the capsule has passed in the stool.
Collection and Return Instructions
• You will place the stool collection hat on the toilet each time you use the restroom. Once the pill comes out, you will rinse it off with a cup of water and then use the magnetic wand to pick up the capsule and place it in the capsule container. Ensure the lid of the capsule container is
closed, put the capsule container into the zip bag and seal it.
• You will be provided a pre-labeled padded envelope in your take-home kit, place the zip bag with the capsule container inside in the envelope, seal and drop the envelope off at any FedEx drop box or physical FedEx location.
After the Test
The study will be downloaded, reviewed by a physician, and the results will be discussed at the patients next follow up appointment. We will be in contact earlier if we feel that we need to change the plan of care before the appointment.
When to Call the Doctor
Please contact us if the patient experiences any abnormal abdominal pain, fever, nausea, or vomiting during or immediately after the test. If the symptoms are severe, please go to the nearest Emergency Department.
