Purpose Postoperative recovery following colorectal surgery remains impaired by severe complications including postoperative ileus (POI). Human studies of POI have been limited by a lack of safe and easy-to-use objective methods. Motilis 3D-transit is a completely ambulatory, minimally invasive system whereby electromagnetic capsules are followed by external sensors during their passage of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of the 3D-transit system in a surgical setting.

Method We included 12 patients as a substudy of the randomised double blind controlled Stimulation of the Autonomic Nervous System In Colorectal Surgery by perioperative nutrition (SANICS)-II trial undergoing elective segmental colonic resection with primary anastomosis at Aarhus University Hospital and Randers Regional Hospital, Denmark. To study region-specific motility, three electromagnetic capsules were administered. One was taken 3 hours before surgery, the next was taken 1 hour before surgery, while the third was placed distal to the anastomosis during surgery. Total and regional GI transit times as well as time until first propulsive colonic contraction were determined.

Results All patients tolerated the setup well with no adverse events related to the 3D-transit system. Large variations were found in total GI transit time (26.7–127.6 hours), gastric emptying (0.07–>106.9 hours), small intestinal (1.2–58.4 hours) and colorectal transit time (14.3–>118.1 hours). Time from end of surgery to first propulsive movement in the colon varied from 3.9 to 85 hours. No correlation was found between parameters of GI motility and tolerance of an oral diet or recovery of bowel function.

Conclusion The 3D-transit system allows safe assessment of GI motility in patients operated with segmental colonic resections and primary anastomosis for colorectal cancer. Postsurgical motility varies significantly between patients.