Patency capsule

capsula2

The Patency capsule, identical in size to the GIVEN endoscopic capsule, is a barium-filled capsule with a coating that disintegrates 40-72 hours after entering the intestine.

It is used to ensure the absence of stenosis (narrowings) in the small intestine, which would cause retention of the endoscopic capsule.

It is used in cases where conventional imaging tests cannot rule out the presence of stenosis as a test technique before performing the small intestine endoscopic study with the GIVEN capsule.

In the absence of stenosis, the capsule is expelled whole within the first 72 hours.

If stenosis or other causes lead to capsule retention, it disintegrates and is expelled deformed and empty after 72 hours. In these cases, endoscopic capsule studies are not indicated.

Prior use of the Patency capsule is an additional safety factor for the videocapsule study, since retention of the capsule in a stenotic area is the most common complication associated with its use.