If you have further questions, please telephone the department or discuss them with a member of staff on the day of your procedure.
What is an Oesophageal Dilatation?
An oesophageal dilatation is a procedure, which allows the doctor to stretch a narrowed area (stricture) of your oesophagus. A flexible tube with a camera on the end (gastroscope) will be passed into your oesophagus (gullet) so the narrowed area can be located. You can expect to be in the Endoscopy Unit about 1½ – 4 hours.
Why am I having an Oesophageal Dilatation?
Before your oesophageal dilatation, other tests such as a gastroscopy or barium swallow have shown that your oesophagus has become narrowed. Your doctor will have discussed with you the likely cause of the narrowing of your oesophagus. People with a narrowed oesophagus have problems with their swallowing and find it difficult to eat. After an oesophageal dilatation, you should find that your swallowing improves.
During the procedure, a balloon is passed through the gastroscope and through the narrow area. The balloon is then inflated to stretch the narrowing.
What are the benefits / alternatives to having an Oesophageal Dilatation?
An oesophageal dilatation is usually a simple and straightforward means of stretching a narrowed area in the oesophagus. The only alternative would be to have an operation, which carries a much greater risk and takes much longer to recover from.
If you prefer not to have an oesophageal dilatation, we advise you to discuss the implications with your doctor.
What are the risks of having an Oesophageal Dilatation?
Complications are rare but it is important that you are aware of them before you agree to have the procedure. As with any medical procedure, the risk must be compared to the benefit of having the procedure carried out.
- Having an oesophageal dilatation carries a small risk of bleeding or making a hole in the oesophagus (perforation). If this does occur, it may require an operation.
- Using sedation can affect your breathing. To reduce this risk, we monitor your pulse and oxygen level.
- Despite sedation, some patients can experience abdominal and or chest discomfort during the procedure. If this persists at home or you have signs of bleeding such as black tarry stools, you should contact your nearest Emergency department for further advice and also inform us.
- A sore throat after the procedure is very common and should resolve in a few days.
- Other rare complications include damage to loose teeth, crowns or to dental bridgework, or an allergic reaction to the sedative used.
What preparation will I need?
An oesophageal dilatation must be performed on an empty stomach, your appointment letter will tell you when you will need to stop eating and drinking.
Do I keep taking my tablets?
You must keep taking any essential tablets unless your doctor tells you specifically not to. Please take your tablets early morning with a sip of water for a morning appointment. If you have an afternoon appointment, please make sure you take your medication four hours before your appointment or leave it until after your test.
Please telephone the Endoscopy Unit if you are diabetic, have sleep apnoea or are taking tablets that prevent blood clots. Examples of blood thinning tablets are Warfarin, Aspirin, Apixaban, Rivaroxaban, Clopidogrel (Plavix), Dipyridamole (Persantin), Prasugrel (Efient), Ticagrelor (Brilligue) or Acenocoumarol (Sinthrome).
What should I bring on the day?
Please bring a list of medication that you take and also any medication that you may require, whilst in the department such as GTN spray, inhalers and insulin. Please don’t bring valuables to the department or wear lots of jewellery. Please can you also ensure that you remove nail varnish as this interferes with the signal we receive from our monitors about your oxygen levels.
Will I be asleep for my Oesophageal Dilatation?
An oesophageal dilatation is normally carried out under sedation. The drugs used are usually a combination of a sedative (Midazolam) to relax and a painkiller (Fentanyl). Sedation is not a general anaesthetic and will not put you to sleep; however, it may make you feel relaxed and possibly, a little drowsy. After the test, you will have to rest in the recovery area so we can monitor your recovery, this can take at least 2 – 4 hours. You MUST bring someone with you and also go home in a car / taxi, not on public transport as you may be unsteady on your feet due to the sedation. You MUST also have someone at home to care for you for 24 hours and must rest indoors. This means no work, no driving, no alcohol and you shouldn’t operate machinery.
Sedation will NOT be given if the above are not arranged before the start of the test. Please contact the Endoscopy Unit for advice if you are unable to make these arrangements.
There are known adverse effects from the intravenous drugs administered during the procedure. These range from mild and common (for example, headache, nausea, dizziness) to rare and serious (for example, depression of respiratory and nervous system, which may result in aspiration pneumonia, anaphylaxis and coma. Although these serious complications are rare, they are more common in patients with deeper sedation and / or general anaesthesia.
Occasionally, an oesophageal dilatation can be carried out under throat spray, which is a local anaesthetic. This will mean your throat is numb and you are awake and aware throughout the test. You will be able to go home after your test as there are no after-effects, apart from numbness, which can last up to three hours afterwards.
If you would like to discuss this option, please contact the Endoscopy Unit.
What will happen on the day of the procedure?
When you arrive at reception in the Endoscopy Unit, your personal details will be checked. The assessment nurse will collect you and take your medical history, discuss and explain the test, and take your blood pressure and pulse. You will be able to ask any questions and discuss any worries or questions that you have about the test. You will be asked for your consent form (supplied with this leaflet). This will be attached to your notes and taken to the procedure room. Please make sure that you have read the consent form through before you come for your test as when you sign this form you are agreeing that this is a test you want – remember, you can change your mind about having this procedure at any time. The endoscopist will discuss the consent form with you.
Please note:
every effort will be made to see you at your appointment time; however, due to hospital inpatient emergencies, delays may occur. The endoscopy staff will keep you informed of any delays.
What happens in the procedure room?
You will be greeted by two nurses who will remain with you during the test. If you have chosen to have sedation, a cannula will be placed in your vein so that sedation can be administered and you will be given oxygen through a small plastic tube in your nose. If you are having throat spray, your throat will be numbed.
You will then be asked to remove any dentures or glasses and lay on a trolley on your left-hand side. All patients pulse and oxygen levels are monitored by a probe placed on your finger during the test. Before the test starts, a plastic mouthpiece is placed between your teeth to keep your mouth slightly open.
When the endoscopist gently passes the endoscope through your mouth, you may gag slightly – this is quite normal and will not interfere with your breathing. During the procedure, air is put into your stomach so that the endoscopist can have a clear view. This may make you burp a little, some people find this uncomfortable. Most of the air is removed at the end of the test. When the procedure is finished, the endoscope is removed quickly and easily. If you become very uncomfortable, the procedure will be stopped.
Please note:
all hospitals in the trust are teaching hospitals and it may be that a trainee endoscopist performs your procedure under the direct supervision of a consultant or registrar.
What happens after my Oesophageal Dilatation?
You will be transferred to the recovery room after the test. The length of your stay is dependant on if you have had sedation or throat spray.
If you had local anaesthetic spray for your test, you can leave the department after the recovery nurse has checked your blood pressure. The nurse will discuss when you can eat or drink after the procedure.
If you have had sedation, the recovery nurse will monitor you during your recovery from sedation. This can take 2 – 3 hours.
Remember: if you have sedation, you will need an escort with you, transport home and someone to look after you for 24 hours after the test, you must not:
- drive a vehicle;
- drink alcohol;
- operate machinery;
- go to work; and
- sign legal documents.
These apply to sedated patients only.
The recovery nurse will prepare you for discharge home and give you after-care instructions. You may experience a sore throat and feel bloated due to the air left in your stomach. Both sensations are normal and should clear up quickly by themselves.
When will I get my results?
A full report will be sent to your referring doctor and your GP. If there are any serious problems discovered during your oesophageal dilatation, they will be discussed with you by the doctor before you leave. Sometimes, a further dilatation may be required to fully open the oesophagus and you may be asked to return in a few weeks for a repeat dilatation.
An appointment to see the doctor who referred you for the test will be sent to you in the post or given to you in the department. Any enquires regarding your outpatient appointment should be directed to your consultants secretary. If you feel that you are waiting a long time for an appointment to discuss your results, your GP will also have a report so you can see them too.
This leaflet has been designed as a general guide to your test. If after reading this, you have any questions that you feel have not been answered, please contact the Endoscopy department on the number below.
Administration team: for any enquiry about your appointment including cancellation. Also, contact this number if you require an intepreter or transport.
Telephone: 0113 392 0692
Monday – Friday, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm
Nursing team: please contact this number if you would like advice on your medications or any other queries concerning the procedure.
Telephone: 0113 392 2585
Monday – Friday, 9.00 am – 4.00 pm