Gastroenterology - Patency Test (prior to the Pill Cam Test)

This leaflet has 3 aims:

1. To help you become better informed and more involved in your care.
2. To explain what happens on the day of the procedure.
3. To answer some of the questions commonly asked about the procedure.

If you have any questions, access or communication needs such as an interpreter please contact the department stated on your appointment letter.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for all disabled users of this service.

Please make sure that you read the following information CAREFULLY.

Your doctor has referred you for a patency test to be undertaken prior to a ‘pill cam’ test.

What does the Patency Test do?

This test will assess whether the real pill cam would pass through your gut safely.

What will happen when I arrive?

The test will be explained to you, and consent obtained.

The physiologist will ask you to swallow the patency capsule.

28hrs later you will attend the x-ray dept at the main Salford Royal Hospital site for a CT scan to see where the capsule is.

What if the capsule is still in my gut when the CT scan has been done?

A consultant will assess the CT scan, and they will determine whether we are able to proceed with the pill cam test. If the capsule is stuck because of narrowing for example, as the capsule dissolves it will pass through the narrowing. If this is the case, we will not book you in for a pill cam test. If the consultant decides not to go ahead, we will refer you back to your referring consultant.

What will happen if the capsule passes through my gut?

We will book your pill cam test for the next available appointment. This appointment will be arranged with you once the patency test has been completed.

What will happen to the capsule that I have swallowed when the test is complete?

The capsule will start to dissolve in your gut after 30 hours and you will pass the remaining parts when you go to the toilet for your bowel.

Do I need to do anything prior to the patency test?

No. You do not need to fast or stop any medication prior to the patency test.

Benefits and Risks

The benefit of having this test is that it will help your doctor determine whether the pill cam test can go ahead or not. A patency test is performed to make sure that the pill cam will pass through your gut safely.

There have been cases where a dissolving capsule has become stuck in a tight stricture (this is called capsule retention), but these are very rare. For the majority of people, the capsule dissolves with no risk. The capsule will start to dissolve after 30 hours.

If you have any questions, please contact the department given on your appointment letter.

Smoking Policy

Northern Care Alliance operates a smoke free policy. To find out what this means for you, pick up the leaflets available at the hospital. For advice on stopping smoking contact 0161 212 4050.