Capsule endoscopy - comparison of two strategies of bowel preparation

Capsule endoscopy can identify lesions of the small bowel that cannot be detected by other techniques. In addition to patient safety, quality of care and cost-efficiency, good preparation is an important factor for good visualization.

To evaluate the efficacy of oral sodium phosphate preparation.

Forty-six consecutive patients scheduled for capsule endoscopy in two medical centres. The patients treated in Dallas were prepared by 12 h fasting (group A), and those treated in Israel were also asked to drink 45 mL of sodium phosphate with water (group B). An experienced endoscopist, blinded to the method used, graded the quality of preparation according to visual capability, and to relative durations of each grade.

The quality of the preparation was poor in 35% of group A compared with 4% of group B (P = 0.023). The mean duration of good preparation with excellent visualization was 122 +/- 110 min in group A and 180 +/- 96 min in group B (P = 0.006). Preparation with sodium phosphate and lower patient weight were significant predictive factors for good visualization.

Bowel preparation offers better visualization than overnight fasting alone and is associated with fewer disturbances by intraluminal turbid fluid.