Instructions for Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy

Your physician has determined that as part of your medical evaluation you should undergo an examination known as an SB Capsule Endoscopy. This procedure involves ingesting a small (about the size of a large vitamin pill) Pill Cam capsule which will naturally pass through your digestive system while taking pictures of your intestine. The images are transmitted to the sensor belt which is placed around your abdomen. The sensor belt is attached to a small data recorder which hangs over your shoulder and saves all of the images. You will be wearing the equipment for 12 hours, so you may be sleeping with it on. You will be instructed at the time of your appointment on how to remove the equipment when the study has completed, and when to return the equipment back to the office. The Pill Cam capsule is disposable and will be excreted naturally in a bowel movement. In the rare case that it is not excreted naturally, it will need to be removed either endoscopically or surgically.

Please Note: Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy is contraindicated for patients with a swallowing disorder, a known small bowel disorder, and a pacemaker or other implanted electro-medical device. In these circumstances, you will need to consult your physician to make a decision as to whether the benefit of the procedure outweighs the risk. Additionally, if you think you may be pregnant, please discuss this with your physician before undergoing this procedure.

The Day Before the Capsule Endoscopy

1. Start a clear liquid diet from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM the day before the SB Capsule Endoscopy.
2. From 9:00 PM until the arrival time, you MUST be fasting. Please do not eat, drink, or take any medications.
3. Abstain from smoking 24 hours prior to undergoing SB Capsule Endoscopy.

The Day of the Capsule Endoscopy

1. Arrive at the Middletown office at the scheduled time for your SB Capsule Endoscopy dressed in loose fitting, two-piece clothing. You may wear or bring a T-shirt to wear under your clothing to have the sensor belt placed on. Please remember that you may be sleeping with the equipment on, so where it is placed is where it will stay for the next 12 hours.
2. The sensor belt will be placed on your abdomen, either against your skin or over your T-shirt and will be connected to the data recorder you will be wearing over your shoulder. After that, you will be instructed to ingest the SB Capsule/Pill Cam with a glass of water.

After Ingesting the SB Capsule/Pill Cam

1. Unless instructed otherwise by staff, drink 2 to 3 glasses of water 30-45 minutes after ingesting the SB Capsule.
   • After 4 hours, you may have a light snack.
   • After 8 hours, you may return to your normal diet.
   • The above instructions apply unless your physician specifies otherwise. Contact the office immediately if you suffer from abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting during the SB Capsule Endoscopy.
2. After ingesting the SB Capsule and until it is excreted, you should not be near any source of powerful electromagnetic fields such as one created by an MRI device or amateur (HAM) radio.
3. The SB Capsule Endoscopy lasts approximately 12 hours. Do not disconnect the equipment or remove the belt at any time during the active testing process. Since the recorder is actually a small computer, it should be treated with the utmost care and protection. Avoid sudden movement or banging the data recorder.
4. During the testing, it is important to verify every 15 minutes that the small light on the data recorder is blinking blue. If for some reason it stops blinking blue before the allotted end time of your test, please contact our office.
5. You should record the time and nature of any events such as eating, drinking, activity, and unusual sensations. Return the Event Form with these notes to the office at the end of your test.
6. Avoid any strenuous physical activity, especially if it involves sweating. Do not bend over or stoop down during the SB Capsule Endoscopy.

After Completing the SB Capsule Endoscopy

1. Please remove the belt as instructed by the office. Please return the sensor belt and data recorder to the Middletown office as instructed.
2. You may or may not be able to visually verify that the SB Capsule as passed. If you develop unexplained post-procedure abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting, please contact the office for evaluation and a possible examination by abdominal X-ray.
3. Undergoing an MRI while the capsule is inside your body may result in serious damage to your intestinal tract or abdominal cavity. If you did not positively verify the excretion of the SB Capsule from your body, you should contact the office for evaluation before undergoing an MRI examination.