Background:

The endoscopic video capsule (EVC), a minimally invasive method of study of the gastrointestinal system indicated in occult gastrointestinal bleeding, has as main complication the retention of endoscopic capsule (CR), currently it is managed with direct extraction using double-balloon enteroscopy; however, when it fails due to its location or associated pathologies, the surgical intervention results in the most successful approach.

Objective:

To evaluate clinical characteristics and management of patients with video capsule endoscopy retention.

Method:

From January 2001 to December 2018, a retrospective search was carried out in three centers, of patients with CR diagnosis, clinical variables and approach were evaluated, in addition to a critical review of the literature.

Results:

15 patients with a diagnosis of CR (eight 8 women and seven men), average age 65 (range: 45-77). Seven required surgical management, three endoscopic and five medical management.

Conclusions:

The CR is a new pathology of low prevalence, the surgical management resulting from a second therapeutic line when the removal of the VCE has not been possible endoscopically, this pathology requires special attention in the patient’s medical history and symptoms for diagnosis and management.

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