Comparison of esophageal placement of Bravo capsule system under direct endoscopic guidance with conventional placement method

Abstract

Background:Conventional placement of a wireless esophageal pH monitoring device in the esophagus requires initial endoscopy to determine the distance to the gastroesophageal junction. Blind placement of the capsule by the Bravo delivery system is followed by repeat endoscopy to confirm placement. Alternatively, the capsule can be placed under direct vision during endoscopy. Currently there are no published data comparing the efficiency of one method over the other. The objective of this study was to compare the method of Bravo wireless pH device placement under direct visualization with the conventional method.Methods:A retrospective study involving 58 patients (29 patients with indirect and 29 patients with direct visualization) who had Bravo capsule placement. The physician endoscopy procedure notes, nurse’s notes, postprocedure notes, recovery notes, and pH monitoring results were reviewed. The safety of the procedures, length of the procedures, and patient tolerability were evaluated.Results:None of the 58 patients had early detachment of the device and had no immediate procedure-related complications. The overall incidence of complications in both the groups was similar. No failures due to the technique were noted in either group. Average amount of time taken for the procedure was similar in both groups.Conclusion:The technique of placing a Bravo pH device under direct visualization is as safe and effective as the conventional method. In addition, there is an added advantage of avoiding a second endoscopic intubation in the direct visualization technique.

Large Buffering Effect of the Duodenal Bulb in Duodenal Switch: a Wireless pH-Metric Study

“…Although conventional placement of the BRAVO™-capsule is done after removal of the endoscope, we used direct endoscopic guidance to place the two capsules. Direct placement avoids a repeated endoscopy to confirm the placement of the capsule and is associated with shorter procedure time and less discomfort for the patients [ 8 , 12 , 19 ]. An acute angulation of the gastric tube imposed some difficulties in advancing the capsule distally through the pylorus, and the use of an endoscopic snare was very helpful.…”