One-day versus two-day cleansing for colon capsule endoscopy: a prospective randomized pilot study

Background

Standard bowel cleansing for colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) requires a liquid diet and bowel laxatives for at least 2 days, which is a major drawback of this procedure and affects tolerance and acceptability.

Objective

To compare the quality of colon cleanliness achieved with one-day versus two-day bowel preparation in outpatients undergoing CCE.

Methods

Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group I (one-day schedule, n = 20) received a fiber-free diet and 3 L of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on day 0; group II (two-day schedule, n = 20) received a liquid diet and 3 L of PEG in the evening of day −1, and 1 L of PEG in the early morning of day 0. In both groups, the patients received 15 mg bisacodyl on day −1 and one or two additional sodium phosphate (NaP) boosters following capsule ingestion. Each colon segment was assessed for cleanliness using a four-point grading scale (excellent = 1, good = 2, fair = 3, and poor = 4). For the final analysis, colon cleanliness was rated as adequate (good or excellent) or inadequate (fair or poor).

Results

Overall colon cleanliness was adequate in 94% (CI 91–97) of patients in group I versus 80% (CI 72–88) in group II (P = 0.27). No significant differences were observed in the per-segment quality of colon cleansing between the two groups. CCE reached the rectum in 80% (CI 73–87) of patients in group I versus 75% (CI 67–83) in group II (p = 0.59).

Conclusion

The quality of colon cleanliness achieved with one-day bowel preparation is equivalent to that of the standard two-day schedule in patients undergoing CCE.