Analysis of Gastrointestinal Transit Rate in Capsule Endoscopy

Keum, Bora; Chun, Hoon Jai; Jung, Sung Woo; Park, Sung Chul; Choung, Rok Son; Kim, Yong Sik; Jeen, Yoon Tae; Lee, Hong Sik; Um, Soon Ho; Lee, Sang Woo; Choi, Jai Hyun; Kim, Chang Duck; Ryu, Ho Sang; Hyun, Jin Hai

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS
Capsule endoscope (CE) is a new method of investigating entire small bowel (SB). Some reported that current battery time was sufficient for observing entire SB, but others reported negatively. The aims of this study were to determine the factors influencing the entire SB transit rate.
METHODS
From Sep. 2002 to Aug. 2003, CE was performed in 197 cases and they were devided into complete/incomplete transit according to getting ileocecal valve image within battery time. sixteen cases were excluded due to anatomical abnormality or artificial procedure. one hundred eighty one cases were analyzed with multiple logistic regression.
RESULTS
The complete SB transit rate was 63.5%. Mean battery time was 7 and 1/2 hrs. Gastric transit time (GTT) was significantly shorter in complete group than in incomplete group but the other factors (age, sex, preparation, symptom) were not significant. Mean small bowel transit time in complete group was 4 and 1/2 hrs and ranged from 1 to 8 hrs. In incomplete group (66 cases), 2 cases were reached to distal jejunum, 11 cases to proximal ileum, and the other 53 cases to distal ileum.
CONCLUSIONS
Complete SB transit rate of CE was 63.5% in the 181 cases under current battery time. GTT was the only significant factor influencing gastrointestinal transit rate of CE.