FAQs on Oesophageal Dilatation

Q- What Is Oesophageal Dilatation?

Ans- Oesophageal Dilatation

The oesophagus is a muscular tube that pushes the food from the mouth

to the stomach. If the gullet gets narrowed, swallowing becomes difficult

and food intake can be severely impaired. Then the narrow part has to be

stretched up to allow proper swallowing. The procedure to stretch the gullet is

called oesophageal dilatation.

Who needs an oesophageal dilatation?

Usually prior to stretching of your gullet other tests such as a diagnostic

endoscopy (camera test) or a barium swallow (x-ray of the gullet) have shown

that your gullet has become narrowed. Usually this is the result of severe acid 

reflux from the stomach into the gullet causing acid burn and scarring, although in

some cases it can be due to a growth in the gullet or the result of previous surgery

in the oesophagus. Such individuals could be advised oesophageal dilatation.

Who will be doing the procedure and where?

A specialist Gastroenterologist with expertise in the procedure will be doing your test. 

The procedure is usually done in the Endoscopy Unit like any other camera test.

What is the preparation for the procedure?

• You need to be in hospital a few hours prior to the procedure to have a routine 
• clinical examination and some blood investigations done.
• You will be asked to fast for four to six hours prior to the procedure.
• A sedative and a painkiller will be given intravenously just before the procedure 
• to ensure that you are kept comfortable throughout the test.
• You will be asked to put on a hospital gown and sign the concent form.
• You should continue all your medications but if you take any medications
• that make your blood thinner (anticoagulants) such as warfarin, or if you're diabetic
• on insulin you must let your doctor know at least 3 days in advance.
• If you have any allergies you must let the nursing staff and doctors know.

What happens during the procedure?

You will lie on your back or on your left side. You need to have a needle put into a

 vein in your arm, so that the doctor can give you the sedative and the painkillers. 

Once in place, this needle should not cause any pain. You will also have a device attached

to your finger to monitor your pulse and the amount of oxygen in your blood. You will also

receive oxygen through small nasal prongs.The doctor may spray the back of your throat

with local anaesthetic and an endoscopy (camera test) will be performed. A fine wire will

then be passed through the endoscope down the gullet, and through the blockage, 

if necessary under x-ray control. The endoscope will be withdrawn and some special

dilating tubes will be slid down the throat into the gullet to open up the narrowed area. 

Finally the fine wire will be withdrawn. The procedure usually lasts 20 to 30min and you

will be taken back to the ward on a trolley. There your pulse and blood pressure will be

monitored for a few hours to make sure that there are no problems. Most patients will be

able to return home the next day.

Will it hurt?

Unfortunately, it may hurt a little as the gullet opens up, but in the majority of cases the 

discomfort resolves within 24-48 hours. Any pain you may experience should be reported

promptly and will be controlled with painkillers given orally.