Current status and clinical progress of capsule retention

Abstract

Small bowel capsule endoscopy has been now widely applied for patients who are highly suspected of small bowel disease with occult bleeding and unexplained abdominal pain. Capsule retention is a major complication, with an overall incidence of 1%-2%, commonly seen in the detection of Crohn's disease and small bowel tumors. Most cases run asymptomatically after retention, while intestinal obstruction or perforation can occur ralely. Conservative methods, endoscopic or surgical interventions are performed to deal with the retention. Patency capsule is currently used as a novel tool to reduce the risk of capsule retention.