There are areas of the digestive system, such as the small intestine, that are difficult to reach with traditional endoscopy or colonoscopy methods. For these cases, medicine offers a simple and effective alternative: capsule endoscopy.

At CEGAS, we offer this option to our patients in Panama City as a way to obtain clear diagnoses without the drawbacks of invasive procedures.

What exactly is capsule endoscopy?

It is a device about the size of a large vitamin that contains a tiny camera. The patient swallows it with a little water and, as the capsule naturally travels through the digestive system, it takes thousands of images that are sent to an external recorder the patient wears.

In which cases is this test recommended?

This method does not replace traditional endoscopy in all cases, but it is the ideal tool for:

• Locating the source of gastrointestinal bleeding that is not seen on other tests.

• Detecting signs of Crohn’s disease.

• Identifying polyps or tumors in the small intestine.

• Investigating causes of anemia when other tests have come back normal.

Advantages of this method at CEGAS

What our patients value most about capsule endoscopy is the comfort of the process:

1. No sedation: It does not require anesthesia or sedatives, so you can continue with your day after swallowing it.

2. No pain: The capsule moves through the body following the natural rhythm of digestion without causing discomfort.

3. Outpatient procedure: You come to our clinic at Plaza San Fernando to start the process and then you may leave; you do not need to stay in the hospital.

How is the capsule expelled?

This is one of the most common questions. The capsule is disposable and is expelled naturally through the stool, generally between 24 and 72 hours after it is swallowed. The patient does not feel it pass, and it is not necessary to retrieve the device.

If you have symptoms that have not been explained by other tests, capsule endoscopy could be the tool we need to understand what is happening in your digestive system.

Do you need to schedule your test or have additional questions? At CEGAS, we are ready to assist you. You may contact us directly to check appointment availability or receive more information about our services.