Efficacy of Oral Sodium Phosphate Preparation for Capsule Endoscopy

Wi, Jun Hwan; Kim, Jin Oh; Jung, In Seop; Lee, Ji Hyun; Kim, Hyun Jung; Ko, Bong Min; Cho, Joo Young; Lee, Joon Seong; Lee, Moon Sung; Shim, Chan Sup; Kim, Boo Sung

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Capsule endoscopy is an effective diagnostic tool for detecting small bowel disease. However, the method of bowel preparation for capsule endoscopy has not been standardized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral sodium phosphate as a preparation for capsule endoscopy.
METHODS
A total of 129 cases who underwent capsule endoscopy from Mar. 2003 to Sep. 2004 were analyzed retrospectively. Eighty- eight cases were prepared with sennosides (Alaxyl(R)) and 41 cases were prepared with sodium phosphate. The intestinal mucosa was defined as being unclean if the intestinal content, food materials, and bubbles covered more than 25% of the mucosal surface. Using a stopwatch, the exact time of the unclean image was recorded. The percentage of the unclean image for the small intestinal transit time (SITT) was calculated as an objective score. Small bowel cleansing was considered 'adequate' if the objective score was <10% and 'inadequate' if the objective score was 10% or greater.
RESULTS
35 cases (40%) showed an adequate image in the sennosides and simethicone group and 26 cases (63%) showed an adequate image in the sodium phosphate and simethicone group. The adequacy rate was significantly higher in the sodium phosphate group than in the sennosides group (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Capsule endoscopy prepared by sodium phosphate and simethicone produced a better visual image than sennosides and simethicone.