Gastroenterology Pearland, Houston, Bay City, Lake Jackson
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Your GI Center provides esophageal dilation services at our Houston, Bay City, and Lake Jackson locations. Esophageal dilation is a therapeutic procedure used to widen narrowed areas (strictures) in the esophagus that cause difficulty swallowing. Our board-certified gastroenterologists perform esophageal dilation using advanced techniques to safely and effectively relieve swallowing difficulties and improve your quality of life.
Difficulty swallowing, medically termed dysphagia, can significantly impact your ability to eat and enjoy meals. Esophageal strictures can develop from various causes including chronic acid reflux, radiation therapy, caustic ingestion, or eosinophilic esophagitis. Esophageal dilation provides immediate relief from swallowing difficulties and can be repeated as needed to maintain esophageal patency.
Info
Esophageal dilation is a procedure in which a narrowed area of the esophagus is stretched to widen the opening and improve swallowing. The procedure is performed during upper endoscopy using specialized dilating instruments. There are two main types of esophageal dilators: bougie dilators and balloon dilators.
Bougie dilators are tapered, flexible tubes of increasing diameter that are passed through the mouth and down the esophagus. The dilators are passed sequentially, starting with smaller diameters and progressing to larger ones, gradually stretching the stricture. Balloon dilators are inflatable balloons mounted on a catheter that is passed through the endoscope. The balloon is positioned across the stricture and then inflated to a specific diameter and pressure, stretching the narrowed area.
Both techniques are effective for treating esophageal strictures. Your gastroenterologist will choose the most appropriate dilation method based on the location, length, and cause of your stricture. Esophageal dilation provides immediate improvement in swallowing for most patients, although repeat dilations may be necessary if the stricture recurs.
Your gastroenterologist may recommend esophageal dilation if you have difficulty swallowing caused by an esophageal stricture.
Chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause inflammation and scarring of the esophagus, leading to stricture formation. These peptic strictures typically develop in the lower esophagus and cause progressive difficulty swallowing solid foods. Esophageal dilation effectively treats peptic strictures, and acid suppression therapy helps prevent recurrence.
Radiation therapy for lung, esophageal, or breast cancer can cause esophageal scarring and stricture formation months to years after treatment. Esophageal dilation can effectively treat radiation-induced strictures, although they may require repeated dilations.
Strictures can develop at the site of esophageal or gastric surgery. Esophageal dilation can treat these anastomotic strictures and improve swallowing.
Esophageal dilation is performed during upper endoscopy. You will need to fast for at least six to eight hours before the procedure. You will receive sedation to ensure your comfort during the dilation.
Your gastroenterologist will first perform upper endoscopy to visualize the stricture and assess its location, length, and severity. If bougie dilation is planned, the endoscope is removed and progressively larger bougie dilators are passed through your mouth and down your esophagus, gently stretching the stricture. If balloon dilation is used, a deflated balloon catheter is passed through the endoscope and positioned across the stricture. The balloon is then inflated to the desired diameter for a specified time, typically thirty to sixty seconds, to stretch the stricture.
You may feel pressure or discomfort during the dilation, but the sedation minimizes these sensations. After the dilation is complete, your gastroenterologist will perform another endoscopy to assess the result and ensure there are no complications such as tears in the esophageal wall.
Esophageal dilation typically adds ten to fifteen minutes to the standard upper endoscopy procedure. After the procedure, you will recover in our facility for thirty to sixty minutes before going home. You will need someone to drive you home due to the sedation.
After esophageal dilation, you may experience mild chest discomfort or a sore throat for a day or two. These symptoms typically respond to over-the-counter pain relievers. You should follow a soft diet for twenty-four to forty-eight hours after dilation, then gradually advance to your regular diet as tolerated.
Most patients notice immediate improvement in swallowing after esophageal dilation. Foods that previously caused difficulty swallowing can often be eaten without problems. However, strictures may recur over time, particularly if the underlying cause (such as acid reflux or eosinophilic esophagitis) is not adequately treated. If swallowing difficulties return, repeat dilation can be performed.
Your gastroenterologist will provide recommendations for preventing stricture recurrence, which may include acid suppression medication for GERD-related strictures, dietary modifications and anti-inflammatory therapy for eosinophilic esophagitis, or other treatments depending on the underlying cause.
Serious complications from esophageal dilation are uncommon but can include perforation (a tear in the esophageal wall) or bleeding. The risk of perforation is less than one percent when dilation is performed by experienced gastroenterologists. If you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, or vomiting blood after esophageal dilation, contact our office immediately or go to the emergency room.
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