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.


METHODS
Randomized prospective study.


METHODS
Third-level hospital.


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


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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Only outpatients were included.


CONCLUSIONS
RLP after swallowing the capsule does not influence either GTT nor the rate of VCE complete procedures.
Aparicio
Jose R
JR
Current affiliations: Endoscopy Unit, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Alicante, Spain. aparicio_jos@gva.es
Martínez
Juan
J
Casellas
Juan A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D053705:Capsule Endoscopes; D053704:Capsule Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011187:Posture; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013997:Time Factors