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CC BY 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2026; 14: a27791774
DOI: 10.1055/a-2779-1774
Original article

Multicenter study of colon capsule endoscopy in post-polypectomy surveillance

Authors

  • James Turvill

    1   Gastroenterology, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN8749)

  • Monica Haritakis

    2   Research and Innovation, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN8749)

  • Scott Pygall

    3   Improvement Delivery, NHS England and NHS Improvement East of England, Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN556540)

  • Emily Bryant

    4   NHS Cancer Programme, NHS England, Redditch, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN2394)

  • Harriet Cox

    2   Research and Innovation, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN8749)

  • Greg Forshaw

    2   Research and Innovation, York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN8749)

  • Crispin Musicha

    5   Medical Statistics Group, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN6633)

  • Victoria Allgar

    5   Medical Statistics Group, Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN6633)

  • Robert Logan

    6   Department of Gastroenterology, King's College London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN2394)

  • Mark McAlindon 

    7   Academic Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (Ringgold ID: RIN7318)

Supported by: NHS E Cancer Programme
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Abstract

Background and study aims

During the COVID-19 pandemic the National Health Service introduced colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) as an alternative to colonoscopy in patients awaiting 3-year post-polypectomy surveillance. We determined the safety, diagnostic accuracy, and utility of CCE in this clinical setting.

Patients and methods

Consenting patients awaiting 3-year post-polypectomy surveillance underwent CCE or colonoscopy. For those having CCE, risk-based guidance was developed directing to: 1) immediate colorectal endoscopic intervention; 2) deferred intervention; or 3) discharge. The safety, comparative and paired diagnostic accuracy, and colonoscopy capacity spared by CCE were determined.

Results

There were 464 CCE and 78 colonoscopy patients recruited. CCE patients were younger (mean 62 years versus 68 years). CCE was safely tolerated in 99% of patients. More ≥ 10 mm and 6- to 9-mm polyps were detected in the CCE cohort than the colonoscopy comparator cohort. This was on an intention to investigate basis and in those who had complete and adequately prepared examinations. Two hundred and five CCE patients had an urgent colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy and their paired findings were matched. Per patient sensitivities for ≥ 10 mm and 6- to 9-mm polyps were 92% and 90%, respectively. Two-thirds of patients entered a modified management pathway after CCE with 25% being discharged and 27% having a procedure deferral for up to 3 years. CCE completion and bowel preparation adequacy rates were 78% and 73% respectively. No colorectal cancer was detected.

Conclusions

CCE is a safe diagnostic of colorectal polyps. In surveillance, its "filter function" complements existing colorectal diagnostic services by providing capacity and choice.

Keywords

Endoscopy Lower GI Tract - Colorectal cancer - Polyps / adenomas / ... - Quality and logistical aspects - Performance and complications


Publication History

Received: 22 April 2025

Accepted after revision: 22 December 2025

Article published online:
13 January 2026

© 2026. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Bibliographical Record
James Turvill, Monica Haritakis, Scott Pygall, Emily Bryant, Harriet Cox, Greg Forshaw, Crispin Musicha, Victoria Allgar, Robert Logan, Mark McAlindon. Multicenter study of colon capsule endoscopy in post-polypectomy surveillance. Endosc Int Open 2026; 14: a27791774.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2779-1774
 

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