ROBOT-CONTROLLED MAGNET-ASSISTED CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FEASIBILITY, ACCEPTABILITY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF ROBOT-CONTROLLED MAGNET-ASSISTED CAPSULE ENDOSCOPY COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL ENDOSCOPY OF THE UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IN CHILDREN
IRAS ID
281431
Contact name
Shishu Sharma
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Childrens NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract (oesophagus, stomach and duodenum) involves passing a flexible tubular endoscope through the mouth into the stomach. It is commonly performed to identify the cause of abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhoea and anaemia. As it is an invasive and uncomfortable test, it is usually performed under general anaesthetic in children. However, children and their parents worry about the nature of the procedure which does incur a small risk of both the anaesthetic and the endoscopy.
A capsule endoscope is a large pill-sized device containing a battery powered camera which can be swallowed. It was first devised to examine the small bowel (which begins with the duodenum and ends in the colon or large bowel) which is difficult to reach with conventional endoscopes and has been used in children aged over eight years since at least 2005. It is extremely well tolerated. However, it does not provide a comprehensive view of the whole surface area of the stomach which has a convoluted shape, large volume and is collapsed in the fasted state.Recent research in adults shows that a capsule can be steered around a water-filled stomach using two joysticks to control the polarity and distance of an external robot magnet from the patient. This is much better tolerated and appears to be almost as good a diagnostic tool as conventional endoscopy. It has yet to be studied in children. We intend to compare patient acceptability of capsule endoscopy and gastroscopy and see if it is cost effective.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/WM/0192
Date of REC Opinion
22 Oct 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion