{
  "abstract": "Introduction Capsule retention is the main complication of concern during small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). Patency testing and patient screening are tools available to try and prevent this occurrence. This review examines whether these tools are useful in practice.Methods A review of the small bowel capsule endoscopy database of patients tested between April 2025 and December 2025 was reviewed to determine whether patency capsule testing prevented small bowel obstruction. Patency tests are performed when patients have obstructive symptoms or abdominal pain as a main feature of presentation. The Aberdeen patency protocol involves a scout film 28-30 hours after capsule ingestion. If the capsule is present, a limited CT is performed to determine whether the capsule is present in the small or large bowel. Cases of retention were reviewed to determine whether obstruction occurred and if so what the indication for the test had been, identification of the pathology responsible and whether there were any signs that may have prevented this complication.Results 1,184 patients (53.6% female) were tested. The mean age was 51 years (range 15-88yrs). 64 patency tests were undertaken (62.5% for suspected small bowel Crohn’s). The capsule remained in the small bowel at the time of selective CT scan in only one patient. Capsule retention occurred in 10 patients. Two passed the capsule spontaneously. Obstruction occurred in 7 patients (0.59%). These patients were referred with iron deficiency anaemia (n=5) and obscure overt GI bleeding (n=2) and required surgery.Conclusions Patency testing prevented only possible obstruction. It is therefore questionable whether this is a valuable test where patients are thoroughly screened for abdominal pain and obstructive symptoms prior to testing. Capsule obstruction occurred mainly in patients with IDA and no red flags for obstruction. This should be born in mind as part of the consent process.Abstract P379 Table 1Pathology responsibleNumberInflammatory stricture4Jejunal adenocarcinoma2Colorectal cancer1",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Vicky Ritchie"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Liam McKay"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P379 Capsule retention occurs in the most unlikely of cases: a review of patency test use and capsule obstruction",
  "uid": "c2eaf567-65ad-527d-807a-85be1e345f70"
}