Esophageal Dilation

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 17, 2023.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Esophageal dilation is a procedure to widen a narrow part of your esophagus. Your healthcare provider will use a dilator (inflatable balloon or another tool that expands) to make the area wider. He may also do an endoscopy before or during your esophageal dilation. During an endoscopy, your healthcare provider will use a scope to see inside your esophagus.

HOW TO PREPARE:

The week before your procedure:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
• Arrange a ride home. Ask a family member or friend to drive you home after your surgery or procedure. Do not drive yourself home.
• Ask your healthcare provider if you need to stop using aspirin or any other prescribed or over-the-counter medicine before your procedure or surgery.
• Bring your medicine bottles or a list of your medicines when you see your healthcare provider. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Tell your provider if you use any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicine.
• You may need blood or urine tests before your procedure. You may also need to have a barium swallow, x-ray, CT scan, or MRI of your esophagus. Talk with your healthcare provider about these or other tests you may need. Write down the date, time, and location for each test.

The night before your procedure:

Ask healthcare providers about directions for eating and drinking.

The day of your procedure:

• Ask your healthcare provider before taking any medicine on the day of your procedure. These medicines include insulin, diabetic pills, high blood pressure pills, or heart pills. Bring a list of all the medicines you take, or your pill bottles, with you to the hospital.
• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
• Healthcare providers may insert an intravenous tube (IV) into your vein. A vein in the arm is usually chosen. Through the IV tube, you may be given liquids and medicine.
• An anesthesiologist will talk to you before your surgery. You may need medicine to keep you asleep or numb an area of your body during surgery. Tell healthcare providers if you or anyone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia in the past.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

What will happen:

Your healthcare provider will insert a scope or dilator into your mouth and guide it down to your esophagus. A sample of tissue may be taken to be tested. Your healthcare provider will use a dilator to stretch the narrow part of your esophagus. He may repeat this step 1 or 2 times with larger dilators. He may place a stent or inject steroid medicine into the area to help prevent it from narrowing again.

After your procedure:

You will be taken to a room to rest until you are fully awake. Healthcare providers will monitor you closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. When your healthcare provider sees that you are okay, you will be able to go home or be taken to your hospital room.

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You cannot make it to your procedure.
• You have a fever.
• You have a cold or the flu.
• You have questions or concerns about your procedure.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You have more trouble swallowing.
• You lose weight without trying.
• You have food stuck in your throat that will not move.

Risks

During the procedure, saliva or stomach fluid may get into your lungs and cause pneumonia. Your esophagus may be damaged and cause bleeding or an infection. You may need another surgery to repair the damage. Even with treatment, your esophagus may become narrow again.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Further information

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