Characteristics of patients with a retained wireless capsule endoscope (WCE) necessitating laparotomy for removal of the capsule.

AIM

A capsule endoscope is a wireless miniature camera used to take images of the small bowel mucosa. Retention of the wireless capsule endoscope (WCE), defined as at least two weeks' retention or an obstruction demanding removal by laparotomy, is the main and practically only complication of the procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of patients with a retained WCE necessitating laparotomy for removal of the capsule or capsule fragments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The medical records of 555 patients who had undergone the WCE procedure over a 7-year period (2002-2008) were reviewed. The indications for the WCE procedure were, obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, Crohn's disease, abdominal pain and suspicion of malignancy.

RESULTS

A retained WCE requiring operative treatment was found in 10 cases (in nine patients, twice in one patient). The WCE retention frequency of 1.8% (10/555) equalled that in the literature.

CONCLUSION

The retention rate of WCE capsules is low and routine examination of the small bowel with MRI or CT is not necessary before WCE. These examinations were enable to predict WCE retention according to our results.