The Use of Castor Oil for Bowel Preparation for Colon Capsule Endoscopy

Colon capsule endoscopy was approved for reimbursement under the national health insurance system of Japan in 2014. At our hospital, specialized mainly in renal, hepatic, and diabetic diseases, we have been performing colon capsule endoscopy since December 2014. Dialysis patients are potentially susceptible to bleeding because of the fragile intestine, impaired platelet function, or oral administration of nonsteroidalanti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anticoagulants. For this reason, detailed examination by capsule endoscopy appears to be useful. However, the capsule excretion rate after recommended bowel preparation reportedly ranges from 70% to 90%, and administration of boosters is also necessary. For dialysis patients, liquid loading is a problem. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of bowel preparation with castor oil for improving the capsule excretion rate. In all 20 patients (including four dialysis patients), both capsule transit time and duration of capsule endoscopy were shortened. The results are presented and briefly discussed in this report.

Colon capsule endoscopy was approved for reimbursement under the national health insurance system of Japan in 2014. At our hospital, specialized mainly in renal, hepatic, and diabetic diseases, we have been performing colon capsule endoscopy since December 2014. Dialysis patients are potentially susceptible to bleeding because of the fragile intestine, impaired platelet function, or oral administration of nonsteroidalanti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anticoagulants. For this reason, detailed examination by capsule endoscopy appears to be useful. However, the capsule excretion rate after recommended bowel preparation reportedly ranges from 70% to 90%, and administration of boosters is also necessary. For dialysis patients, liquid loading is a problem. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of bowel preparation with castor oil for improving the capsule excretion rate. In all 20 patients (including four dialysis patients), both capsule transit time and duration of capsule endoscopy were shortened. The results are presented and briefly discussed in this report.