Small and large bowel capsule endoscopy: aftercare advice

This leaflet provides you with information for after your small or large bowel capsule endoscopy. The leaflet explains the following.

• What happens after your appointment

• How you will get your results

• What the possible side effects are

• Who to contact if you have any questions or concerns

We hope this leaflet answers some of the questions you may have. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact the Alternative Pathways Unit.

What happens after my appointment?

• After a small bowel capsule endoscopy

  • You will return to Buckland Hospital Alternative Pathways Unit promptly at 5pm. We will remove the belt and data recorder.

  • Once we have removed these, you can eat and drink as normal.

  • The capsule is normally passed in your stools (poo) 24 to 72 hours after swallowing. It can flush safely down the toilet.

• After a large bowel (colon) capsule endoscopy

  • You will return to Buckland Hospital Alternative Pathways Unit between 8.30am and 10am the next morning. We will remove the belt and data recorder. The time you need to arrive at the unit will be agreed with the nurse before you go home after swallowing the capsule.

  • The capsule will be passed out with your stools by the boosters, which we gave to you during your appointment. It can flush safely down the toilet.

How will I get my results?

The images will be uploaded onto the recording system and read by the endoscopist in the next few days. The endoscopist will store the images confidentially, as part of your medical records.

As soon as the images are read, we aim to send the report to your GP and referring consultant within 2 weeks. The nursing team will contact you within a 2 week timeframe about your results.

Are there possible side effects?

• There is a small possibility of the capsule getting retained inside your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. If this happens we will book you an x-ray appointment. We will need to remove the capsule endoscopically or surgically, depending on location and other x-ray findings. If safe to remove endoscopically, you will go to an Endoscopy Unit to have a procedure to remove the retained capsule.

• There is a very small possibility that the capsule could go into your lungs instead of your stomach. This is the same as when you swallow food.

• The device may cause damage to the lining of your GI tract. If this happens, there is a very small possibility that:

  • a part of your GI tract could become infected and need treatment

  • you may see some streaking of red blood when you cough or vomit

• If the bowel preparation was poor for the large bowel capsule, we may not be able to see the lining of the bowel. If this happens we might:

  • miss some clinical findings

  • think the capsule endoscopy is unsuccessful

• There is a small risk of an unsuccessful procedure due to equipment failure.

• Like all tests, the capsule endoscopy may not find all abnormalities. On very rare occasions, a serious abnormality might not be found by the test.

What if I have any concerns?

If you develop any of the following, contact your GP or go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately. Bring a copy of your report with you.

• Shortness of breath

• Sharp chest, epigastric (area just below your rib cage and above your belly button), or abdominal (stomach) pain

• Symptoms of bleeding, such as:

  • dizziness

  • paleness

  • visible vomiting of blood

  • passing blood in the stool (poo)

• High temperature

• Feeling generally unwell

• Vomiting

We will discuss this information with you at your pre-assessment appointment and on the day of your procedure. If you have any questions, please contact the Alternative Pathways Unit and speak to a member of the team.

Contact details

• Alternative Pathways Unit
  Telephone: 01304 222558 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday

What do you think of this leaflet?

We welcome feedback, whether positive or negative, as it helps us to improve our care and services.

If you would like to give us feedback about this leaflet, please fill in our short online survey. Either scan the QR code below, or use the web link. We do not record your personal information, unless you provide contact details and would like to talk to us some more.

If you would rather talk to someone instead of filling in a survey, please call the Patient Voice Team.

• Patient Voice Team
  Telephone: 01227 868605
  Email