Constipation Not So Vibrant: A Case Report of Colonic Obstruction From Capsule Retention

Vibrating capsules represent a novel, nonpharmacologic approach for chronic idiopathic constipation, with favorable safety profiles in clinical trials, showing no reported retention events. Although generally well tolerated, patients with severe motility disorders and use of narcotics pose risk of retention of capsules. We report a case of a 73-year-old woman with a history of gastroparesis and slow-transit constipation, who developed colonic retention of multiple vibrating capsules, requiring colonoscopic retrieval. Careful patient selection, monitoring, and timely imaging may prevent complications when treating patients with vibrating capsules.