Esophageal Dilation due to a narrowing of the esophagus

What is Esophageal Dilation?
Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus [swallowing tube]. Doctors can use various techniques for this procedure. Your doctor might perform the procedure as part of a sedated endoscopy. Alternatively, your doctor might apply a local anesthetic spray to the back of your throat and then pass a weighted dilator through your mouth and into your esophagus.
Why is it Done?
The most common cause of narrowing of the esophagus, or stricture, is scarring of the esophagus from reflux of acid occurring in patients with heartburn. Patients with a narrowed portion of the esophagus often have trouble swallowing; food feels like it is "stuck" in the chest region, causing discomfort or pain. Less common causes of esophageal narrowing are webs or rings (which are thin layers of excess tissue), cancer of the esophagus, scarring after radiation treatment or a disorder of the way the esophagus moves [motility disorder].
How Should I Prepare for the Procedure?
An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so you should have nothing to drink, including water, for at least six hours before the examination. Your doctor will tell you when to start fasting.
Tell your doctor in advance about any medications you take, particularly aspirin products or anticoagulants (blood thinners). Most medications can be continued as usual, but you might need to adjust your usual dose before the examination. Your doctor will give you specific guidance. Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to medications as well as medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. Also, tell your doctor if you require antibiotics prior to dental procedures, because you might need antibiotics prior to esophageal dilation as well.
What Can I Expect during Esophageal Dilation?
Your doctor might perform esophageal dilation with sedation along with an upper endoscopy. Your doctor may spray your throat with a local anesthetic spray, and then give you sedatives to help you relax. Your doctor then will pass the endoscope through your mouth and into the esophagus, stomach and duodenum. The endoscope does not interfere with your breathing. At this point your doctor will determine whether to use a dilating balloon or plastic dilators over a guiding wire to stretch your esophagus. You might experience mild pressure in the back of your throat or in your chest during the procedure. Alternatively, your doctor might start by spraying your throat with a local anesthetic. Your doctor will then pass a tapered dilating instrument through your mouth and guide it into the esophagus.
What Can I Expect after Esophageal Dilation?
After the dilation is done, you will probably be observed for a short period of time and then allowed to return to your normal activities. You may resume drinking when the anesthetic no longer causes numbness to your throat, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Most patients experience no symptoms after this procedure and can resume eating the next day, but you might experience a mild sore throat for the remainder of the day.
If you received sedatives, you probably will be monitored in a recovery area until you are ready to leave. You will not be allowed to drive after the procedure even though you might not feel tired. You should arrange for someone to accompany you home, because the sedatives might affect your judgment and reflexes for the rest of the day.
What are the Potential Complications of Esophageal Dilation?
Although complications can occur even when the procedure is performed correctly, they are rare when performed by doctors who are specially trained. A perforation, or hole, of the esophagus lining occurs in a small percentage of cases and may require surgery. A tear of the esophagus lining may occur and bleeding may result. Complications from heart or lung diseases are potential risks if sedatives were used. Symptoms of thisdisorder vary and may include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), painfulswallowing, regurgitation of food and weight loss. Further complications mayalso arise if the stricture is left untreated. Fortunately, esophageal dilation offers potential relief andhealing for those suffering from esophageal stricture, Dr. Julio Murra Saca perform a dilation with hydrostatic Balloon. www.murrasaca.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Esophageal
• Dilation
• Endoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• reflux
• GERD
• Esophagus
• stricture
• Barrett
• dilator
• heartburn
• acid
• chest
• pain

[sword78910]

What is the diameter of an average healthy esophagus and how much can it be stretched?

[snasrulla]

@TheLonelyLumberJack

Might be achalasia, I was diagnosed 12 years ago, tried balloon dilations and botox, neither had any impact. Laproscopic myotamy was performed and although it never completed reversed the effect, it greatly reduced my difficulty swallowing solid foods.

[TheLonelyLumberJack]

I'm wondering if this is a possibility for me because I have GERD and Esophagitis. I was diagnosed with it when I was 16, Now I am 18. I've been on PPI's for awhile and at first, they worked fairly well. Just about a month ago though, I started once again having a major difficulty swallowing foods like, potatoes, breads, meats, and vegetables. I have to chew for an eternity and even drink small doses of water with solid food to keep it from sticking or creating a blockage(really agonizing).

[simply14u]

@tomcamp6023 I have reflux and eosinophillic esophagitis as well (also a bad form of gout - in joints tendons & in kidneys). They are still looking for a connection as all problems started at the same time!

Just been booked in today to get dilation done as it is getting worse.

[pallet9019]

i am 15 an i have esofigel asofigides it has been srinking for 9 monts sence i chocked how do you get it to stop srinking i have to have mine striched every 2 weeks

[itpeach]

@tomcamp6023 My wife had it done on April 21, 20011 and it has helped her a lot. She could hardly swallow any meat or bread and would get large pills lodged in her throat prior. The only side effects she has had is her throat is somewhat sore and she is congested. I assume the procedure aggravated her sinuses. If anyone would have any knowledge of why this is happening I would appreciate you letting me know.

[niltomega]

It was a wonderful world when I had medical insurance. Any doctor visits now would be financial suicide.

[KnottCoBoys]

I have eosiniphilic esophagitus and it is the worst thing I've ever dealt with. I also have GERD and a hiatal hernia. I had an EGD on Jan 5 and had my esophagus dialated. It really helped me with swallowing, but I still have the throat spasms from teh EE. I had another EGD done today (Jan 31) and the Doc dialated me to 54 French, which is as far as he can go for now. I'm taking Buspar and Domperidone and Fluticasone (steroid spray) for my EE. If you're a praying person, please pray for me.

[DrusillaC]

@DANCEAHOLIK4 - first of all, you need to find out what's causing your swallowing problem. Usually they do an endoscopy (tube down your esophagus) so they can see what's going on and what needs to be done; sometimes they take biopsies. If they think dilation would help, they'll probably do it. It's a simple procedure and you get sedated so you're not really aware of what they're doing. This can give great relief, but the problem sometimes recurs and you might need it done again. Hope this helps.

[DrusillaC]

@tomcamp6023 - I had it done 3 times, it helped each time, but then the problem came back because of too much stomach acid. I take Nexium to reduce this acid and am not keen to take a higher dose, though I may have to. I don't like taking high doses of any medication.

Have you had allergy testing done yet? If they could find out exactly what you're allergic to you might be able to solve your problem by avoiding whatever the allergen is. Worth thinking about, anyway.