Effect of three bowel preparations on video-capsule endoscopy gastric and small-bowel transit time and completeness of the examination

Objective. Video capsule endoscopy fails to visualize the caecum in about 20% of patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different bowel preparations on video capsule endoscopy gastric- ( GTT) and small- bowel transit time ( SBTT) and the rate of caecal visualization. Material and methods. We retrospectively examined 186 consecutive capsule endoscopy videos undertaken over a 3- year period, excluding cases with diabetes mellitus or gastric surgery ( n - 28), cases with unknown bowel preparation and those with unreadable data CDs ( n - 27). Sixty- seven ( 36%) patients were prepared with a liquid diet ( CL), 54 ( 29%) with sodium phosphate ( PS) and 65 ( 35%) with polyethylene glycol ( PEG). Two independent, experienced investigators examined the videos. Results. No difference was found in GTTamong CL, PS and PEG preparations ( 25, 6.7 - 116.2 min, 34.75, 4.1 - 125 min, 35, 6.1 - 128.6 min, respectively, p = 0.29). The caecum was visualized in 56/ 67 ( 83.6%), 44/ 54 ( 81.5%) and 53/ 65 ( 81.5%) patients who received CL, PS and PEG, respectively ( p = 0.9). In the cases where capsule endoscopy reached the caecum, no difference was observed in SBTT among patients that received CL, PS and PEG ( 264.4+/-85.9 min, 296.7+/-79.5 min, 291.3+/-84 min, respectively, p = 0.11). Conclusions. Bowel preparations for capsule endoscopy do not have a significant effect on gastric and small- bowel video capsule transit time and the rate of caecum visualization.