Right lateral position does not affect gastric transit times of video capsule endoscopy: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) examination of the small bowel is not complete in approximately 20% of the procedures. This fact limits its diagnostic yield. One of the main factors that influences the small-bowel transit time (SBTT) is the gastric transit time (GTT), ie, the interval in which the capsule stays in the stomach. It has been described that placing the patient in a right lateral position (RLP) after swallowing the capsule could decrease the GTT.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether the RLP, after the patient swallows the capsule, shortens the GTT and, secondarily, increases the rate of complete procedures.

DESIGN

Randomized prospective study.

SETTING

Third-level hospital.

PATIENTS

Consecutive outpatients in whom VCE was indicated. Exclusion criteria were inpatients and previous gastric surgery.

INTERVENTION

GTT for RLP 30 minutes after swallowing the capsule versus non-RLP (standing up position).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

The GTT, SBTT, and rate of complete procedures (examination of the entire small bowel).

RESULTS

We did not observe significant differences in the GTT, the SBTT, and the complete procedures between groups.

LIMITATION

Only outpatients were included.

CONCLUSIONS

RLP after swallowing the capsule does not influence either GTT nor the rate of VCE complete procedures.