Patency Dummy Capsule

 Gastroenterology

Your consultant or doctor has advised you to have a patency (dummy) capsule test.

What is a patency capsule?

A patency capsule is sometimes used in patients who are due to have a video capsule endoscopy. A video capsule endoscopy is a test in which the patient swallows a capsule which contains a camera. As it passes through the bowel, it transmits images to a data recorder. It is a useful test to examine the lining of the bowel.

A patency (dummy) capsule is exactly the same size and shape as the capsule used for capsule endoscopy. It can be used to help identify if there is a narrowing of the bowel that would cause the capsule to get stuck. The patency capsule can be seen on a CT scanner.

What are the benefits of a patency capsule?

The patency capsule helps to detect narrowing in the bowel which may prevent a video capsule passing through the small bowel. The patency capsule is designed to dissolve naturally after about 30 hours. If it gets held up as it passes through the bowel, it should subsequently break up into tiny pieces which will pass through the bowel naturally.

What are the risks of a patency capsule?

Having a patency capsule procedure is very safe. It is very rare that patients experience any problems after they swallow the capsule, but if you suffer from any new abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting during the patency capsule test, please get in touch with us using the telephone numbers in the “Further Information” section below.

Please note that if there is a possibility of pregnancy this test cannot be performed for safety reasons.

Patients who have had a satisfactory patency (dummy) capsule test are unlikely to have problems when they have a video capsule endoscopy. The risk of video capsule retention after a successful patency capsule test is extremely rare.

Are there any alternatives to this procedure?

Your doctor may have arranged for you to have other tests to examine the bowel for evidence of narrowing. The patency capsule may be used in addition to these tests.

You must follow the instructions on the next page for an accurate test. What will happen if I decide not to have this procedure?

Your doctor or consultant has requested the patency (dummy) capsule test to

examine for evidence of narrowing before performing a video capsule endoscopy test. If you decide you would not want to have the patency capsule test it may mean that you would be unable to have the video capsule endoscopy test.

Your doctor or consultant will be able to discuss with you if there are other tests which may be used as an alternative to the video capsule endoscopy if this is the case.

Getting ready for your patency capsule test

We will send the patency capsule to you by post. We will advise you of the date and time you need to swallow the capsule on your appointment letter. (You may take your medicines as normal during this test).

What happens after I have taken the patency capsule?

We will give you a date and time to come to the hospital. This appointment will be timed to be 29 to 30 hours after you have swallowed the capsule.

When you arrive at the hospital you will be reviewed in clinic by a Specialist Nurse. They will request if appropriate for you to have an abdominal CT scan. This scan should show how far the capsule has passed along the bowel.

We advise that you wear elasticated clothing, avoid zips and metal if possible.

A CT scan is a special type of X-ray examination showing the anatomy of the body in cross sections, i.e. like thin slices of the area being viewed. When you have the scan, you may be asked to change into a hospital gown. You will lie down on the scanner couch and the CT scanner will take an X-ray picture. This will take a few minutes.

What happens after the test?

After the CT scan you will go home, as we do not get the results straight away. It can take up to a week for the radiology consultant to report the CT. If the patency (Dummy) capsule has not passed far enough along the bowel then there may be a risk of a video capsule getting stuck. Your doctor will discuss with you if other tests may be appropriate in this situation.

If the results of the patency capsule test and other tests of your small bowel are satisfactory, then it will be arranged for you to have a video capsule endoscopy.