Learn the method of capsule endoscopy

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Dong Xuan Ha - Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.
Capsule endoscopy is one of the advanced methods in the diagnosis of gastric diseases. This method is safe with a very low complication rate (less than 1%) and does not cause any discomfort or pain to the endoscope.

1. What is capsule endoscopy?

Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a capsule that contains a very small camera. When the capsule is taken, the capsule moves like a piece of food that is swallowed through the esophagus, down the stomach, small intestine to the large intestine. and can record 3 images per second for 11 hours, the resulting image is very clear.
Capsule endoscopy is mainly used to examine and identify hidden bleeding sites in the intestine. This method also allows monitoring of tumors in the small intestine and masking pain.
So when to use capsule endoscopy? Accordingly, this method is used in the case of finding diseases of the small intestine such as:
Bleeding site U Other lesions such as: Tuberculosis, Crohn's disease ... However, this method is not used. Used in case:
Patients with dysphagia, intestinal obstruction or gastrointestinal system with previous surgical intervention. People with epilepsy should not take this endoscopic capsule because it will be very dangerous. The endoscopist is using pacemakers, defibrillators, and other medical devices, which may interfere with the signal of the camera mounted in the capsule. Children under 10 years old and pregnant women absolutely should not take the capsule of gastroscopy.

2. Advantages of gastric capsule endoscopy

Gastric capsule endoscopy is a safe endoscopic procedure with a very low complication rate (less than 1%). The advantages of gastric capsule endoscopy include:
Do not cause any discomfort or pain to the endoscope. The image of the stomach is clear, can clearly see the entire esophagus, small intestine, and large intestine of the endoscope. Patients can resume their normal activities during this procedure. Completely usable for patients who are sensitive to conventional endoscopic methods. There is no need to use anesthetics and anesthetics, so it does not affect other organs. Ensure safety in not spreading the disease from one person to another, because the endoscopic capsule is for single use only. Gastroscopy capsules are gel-like, so when wet, they are slippery to make swallowing easier. However, if the patient experiences abdominal pain or nausea, they must notify the doctor immediately.

3. Gastric capsule endoscopy procedure

3.1. Preparation Before Endoscopy Patients should fast and not smoke for 12 hours prior to gastrointestinal capsule endoscopy. Only drink filtered water and should not eat any food ...
Patients will be given laxatives such as: Sodium Phosphate and anti-foaming drug simethicone 12 hours before gastrointestinal endoscopy.
1 week before the procedure, the patient should not take any iron-containing supplements and 2 hours before the procedure, should not take any medicine.
On the day of the capsule endoscopy, the patient should wear loose, comfortable clothing, but not skirts or one-pieces. Do not use perfume, lotion or lipstick.
Patients with diabetes, need to be monitored insulin levels exactly as directed by the doctor.
3.2. Capsule endoscopy procedure Step 1: When performing gastroscopy with this modern method, the patient will be given a device by the doctor to swallow a device the size of a capsule. It's a light-emitting camera that captures 3 images per second. This camera will take pictures and transmit them radio through the skin. All capsule endoscopy images during endoscopy from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus will usually take from 8 to 10 hours.
Step 2: The patient will excrete the endoscopic capsule through defecation and do not cause any difficulties. The capsule endoscopy images are taken and will be saved and sent through the specialist's specialized software.
During the capsule's existence in the body, the patient can still do normal activities but need to remember the instructions of the doctor. The duration of capsule endoscopy will range from 11 to 12 hours or possibly longer, depending on the patient's elimination activity.

3.3. After endoscopic gastric capsule endoscopy After 11 hours, the capsule endoscopy information and images will be transmitted to the computer. The images of the patient's digestive system will be viewed by the doctor and the results will be announced. However, 11 hours before the endoscopy of the gastrointestinal capsule, the patient should note: Do not take any drugs during the colonoscopy. About 4 hours after taking the capsule, the patient can not eat but can drink water, should not drink colored water. If you eat food at this time, it will make the stomach work, which will interfere with the imaging work of the capsule endoscope. During the next 4 hours, the patient was able to eat and drink normally again, as the endoscopic capsule then passed into the small intestine. In the next 4 hours, the patient was able to resume normal activities. This is the time when the gastrointestinal endoscopy capsule is eliminated from the body, and the patient has completed the gastrointestinal endoscopy with the capsule. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination, consultation and treatment services. comprehensive, professional disease; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space. Customers who choose to perform services here can be completely assured of the results. In addition, customers will be examined with a specialist to determine the risk of disease and have a scientific treatment direction.

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