If you are experiencing difficulty or pain when swallowing food, you may have a condition that can be treated with esophageal dilation. The following is a helpful explainer about what this procedure involves, the types of conditions it can help treat, and more.
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects your throat to your stomach and transports food and liquids for digestion.
Esophageal dilation is a medical procedure utilizing a scope to stretch (or dilate) sections of the esophagus that have narrowed—a condition known as a stricture. Typically, a gastrointestinal (GI) doctor will recommend it if a stricture in the esophagus is contributing to problems swallowing.
Esophageal dilation is sometimes referred to as esophageal dilatation. Despite different names, however, both procedures are the same.
There are a number of specific conditions that a doctor may recommend esophageal dilation for, including:
Note this is not an exhaustive list. Your doctor may also recommend esophageal dilation for other conditions if it’s determined an esophageal stricture is an issue.
Esophageal dilation is minimally invasive, and does not typically require incisions or stitches. Patients remain awake during the procedure, which takes around 15 minutes, and are able to go home the same day.
Patients are required to fast prior to the procedure, for a minimum of six hours. For this reason, many choose to schedule an esophageal dilation early in the day.
Inform your doctor of any medications you are taking, especially blood thinners. In some cases, your doctor may wish to temporarily adjust its level or cycle to reduce risks of complications.
Claustrophobic patients should inform their doctors prior to the procedure, as a stronger sedative or anesthesia may be required.
Typical steps for the procedure are as follows:
While minimally invasive, esophageal dilation can cause bruising and soreness. Some patients may experience discomfort during the procedure, and pain when swallowing in the days afterward.
Risks and complications with esophageal dilation are extremely rare. Aside from bruising and soreness afterward, the most common complication is a tear in the lining of the esophagus, leading to bleeding. In a very small percentage of cases, the procedure may cause a perforation in the esophagus lining that requires surgery.
Post-procedure, patients should be alert for symptoms including difficulty with breathing and/or swallowing, chest pain, fever, and bloody or black bowel movements. If any of these occur, patients should notify their doctor immediately.
Immediately following an esophageal dilation, patients are typically monitored for a short period of time to ensure there are no immediate side effects. Following this period, most patients can leave the medical facility and return to their regular daily activities.
Patients should expect some discomfort when swallowing, and consider eating a diet consisting of softer foods, such as applesauce, eggs, pudding and yogurt, for several days following the procedure. It is also important to chew foods thoroughly to make them easier to swallow, and to drink while eating, to help ensure that the food can travel completely through the esophagus.
If you have pain or difficulty when swallowing food, contact Gastroenterology Associates today. We can perform the necessary exams and tests to diagnose and treat your condition. In the event of an esophageal stricture, our doctors can perform esophageal dilation, if deemed necessary. Gastroenterology Associates is conveniently located next to Long Island Center for Digestive Health (LICDH), a New York State-licensed non-hospital out-patient facility dedicated to providing endoscopic services in a comfortable environment.