Capsule endoscopy Bunbury
Capsule endoscopy: what it is and why it’s needed
Capsule endoscopy helps us see parts of the small bowel that regular scopes can’t reach. We’ll arrange the test and guide you through the next steps.
Capsule endoscopy becomes an invaluable diagnostic tool when earlier investigations are inconclusive. It gives us a way to examine difficult-to-reach areas of the bowel, providing a better opportunity to uncover the cause of your symptoms and effectively manage your care.
Understanding capsule endoscopy
Who performs the capsule endoscopy?
We’ll take care of organising the capsule endoscopy for you. While we don’t report on the test ourselves, we work closely with experienced gastroenterologists to make sure people in the South West can access it when it’s needed.
We mainly work with Dr Callum Pearce, a well-respected gastroenterologist based at Westside Gastroenterology in Perth. He reviews the capsule images and sends us the report. That means we can go through the results with you here, during your local appointment, no need to travel just to get answers.
When the report comes back, you can choose how you’d like to go through the results and plan any next steps.
- A remote discussion with Dr Pearce via a telehealth link.
- A face-to-face appointment with Dr Pearce in Perth for those who prefer to travel.
- A local review of the report with Dr Xavier Harvey, here in Bunbury.
Dr Xavier Harvey, Surgeon and Member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
What is capsule endoscopy?
Capsule endoscopy gives us a straightforward, non-invasive look at your small intestine. This part of the bowel sits between the stomach and the colon, which makes it tricky to see with regular scopes.
You’ll be asked to swallow a capsule roughly the size of a large vitamin. It’s smooth and easy to take. Inside, there’s a tiny camera that quietly takes thousands of sharp images as it makes its way through your digestive tract.
Depending on the type of capsule, the images are either stored inside it or sent wirelessly to a recorder you wear during the day. No matter how they’re collected, the goal is to give your specialist a detailed look at your entire small intestine.
The best part? There’s no need for sedation or a hospital bed. You take the capsule, go about your usual routine, and the capsule passes on its own, typically within 24 to 48 hours.
Capsule endoscopy for screening
When is capsule endoscopy used?
Capsule endoscopy isn’t a test that we ask patients to take right away. For people with persistent digestive symptoms, we start with a colonoscopy and gastroscopy, those tests give us the clearest picture early on.
We start with those procedures because they give us a solid look at your stomach, oesophagus and large bowel. If nothing shows up there, but you’re still dealing with symptoms, that’s when capsule endoscopy becomes worth considering.
We usually turn to capsule endoscopy when there’s something specific we’re trying to get to the bottom of:
- If you are experiencing ongoing GI bleeding that initial tests couldn’t clearly explain.
- To find the source of recurrent or persistent iron deficiency anemia when standard scopes show normal results.
- When we need to search for evidence of rare inflammatory diseases.
- To assist us in monitoring Crohn’s disease activity within the small bowel.
This test isn’t for general gut issues. It won’t help with things like bloating or IBS, and we don’t use it to check everyday digestive symptoms.
Why we don’t use capsule endoscopy for screening
We don’t request capsule endoscopy to screen for polyps or bowel cancer. Moreso, it doesn’t replace a colonoscopy. The difference is that it’s a diagnostic tool that shows us images, but it won’t be able to take samples or remove anything during the test.
The go-to test for bowel cancer screening is still colonoscopy. This is because we can remove polyps or suspicious areas during the same procedure.
Despite its limitations, when the capsule test is needed, it provides excellent benefits:
- It requires no sedation, so you have no recovery period.
- You can carry on with your normal schedule for the day, eliminating the need to take time off work or arrange special transport.
- The process is fully non-invasive and painless.
- It captures images of parts of the small bowel that standard scopes can’t reach.
- It’s usually completed as a simple day test.
Dr Xavier Harvey, Surgeon and Member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
Because the test is so low impact, it’s well tolerated even in older patients or those with other health issues. There’s also no need to fast as long as you would for a traditional procedure; dietary instructions are provided but are generally straightforward.
Are there risks?
Like any medical test, capsule endoscopy carries risks. The primary concern is capsule retention, which is when the capsule doesn’t pass naturally. Thankfully, this is rare, but it is slightly more likely if you have known or suspected strictures (narrowing) in your bowel.
If there’s any concern, we may organise a “patency capsule” beforehand. This is a dissolvable version that tests whether the digestive tract is open enough for the real capsule to pass.
Very rarely, the images may be incomplete if the capsule moves too quickly or too slowly through the bowel. If this happens, the test may need to be repeated.
Capsule endoscopy process
What to expect during capsule endoscopy
After we’ve carefully looked at your symptoms and the results of your earlier tests, we’ll discuss whether capsule endoscopy is the best next step. If we agree it is, we’ll take care of all the coordination and arrangements to facilitate a smooth process for you.
We’ve streamlined the process for you:
- We handle the referral to the specialist gastroenterologist who performs and interprets the test.
- You’ll receive clear preparation instructions, which usually involve simple dietary adjustments or a mild bowel cleanse.
- You’ll swallow the capsule and then be free to go about your day while the camera captures the images.
Once the report is back in our hands, we’ll help you fully understand the findings. You have flexibility in deciding how you want to review the results:
- A telehealth consultation with Dr Pearce.
- A face-to-face appointment with Dr Pearce in Perth.
- A consultation with Dr Harvey in Bunbury to discuss the report locally.
We aim to keep your care local whenever we can. It saves you the hassle of travelling and helps avoid delays, while giving you more flexibility and options close to home.
Dr Xavier Harvey, Surgeon and Member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
What comes after capsule endoscopy
If the test picks up something that needs treatment, we’ll go through the results with you and talk about what comes next. That could mean more imaging, arranging an endoscopic small bowel examination, or on rare occasions, looking at surgical options.
A normal result can be just as valuable. It helps rule out serious problems and gives you peace of mind. It also means we can shift our focus to more likely, and often simpler, causes of your symptoms.
Am I a candidate for capsule endoscopy?
If you’ve had both a colonoscopy and gastroscopy but are still experiencing unexplained bleeding or low iron, capsule endoscopy might be the next step to consider.
This test isn’t meant for general symptoms like bloating, constipation or IBS. But if your doctor thinks we need a closer look at the small bowel after other tests have come back normal, we can work with your GP or specialist to get things organised.
Capsule endoscopy Bunbury
Ready to book or have questions?
If you’ve already received a referral, or if you’re exploring whether capsule endoscopy is the right next step for you, please get in touch with South West Colorectal Surgery. We’ll manage the referral, coordinate with the specialist, and help keep your care local wherever possible.
You can choose to:
- Discuss your results with Dr Xavier Harvey in Bunbury
- Book a telehealth appointment with the specialist
- Travel to Perth if an in-person visit is preferred
We’re here to guide you through the process and make sure everything runs smoothly, from start to finish.
South West Colorectal Surgery
Get in touch
Have questions or are you ready to schedule your appointment? Contacting us is easy:
Give us a call: Reach out to our friendly team at (08) 9742 1876 to discuss your needs, ask any questions, or book an appointment.
Visiting us? Our map shows where you can find us in Bunbury and Busselton.
16 Edward Street
Bunbury WA 6230
20 Prince Street
Busselton WA 6280