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Oesophageal dilatation
SURGERY TO WIDEN A NARROWED OESOPHAGUS
An oesophageal dilatation is a surgical procedure to widen a narrowed oesophagus (food pipe)
About oesophageal dilatation
Your oesophagus (food pipe) is a muscular tube that carries food and drink from your mouth to your stomach. Sometimes, it can narrow because of conditions like GORD or as a result of treatments like radiotherapy.
When this happens, we can carry out an oesephageal dilation, which is a surgical procedure to widen a narrowed oesophagus.
Need to know
You'll be given a sedative to numb your throat. Your consultant will then pass an endoscope — a slim, flexible tube with a light on the end of it — down your oesophagus.
They'll then insert a balloon dilator into the narrowed part and gently inflate it. Alternatively, your consultant will pass a fine wire into the narrowing. They'll then pass a dilator over the wire and apply pressure to stretch the narrowing.
Whichever technique is used, the procedure itself will take about 10 minutes.
They'll then insert a balloon dilator into the narrowed part and gently inflate it. Alternatively, your consultant will pass a fine wire into the narrowing. They'll then pass a dilator over the wire and apply pressure to stretch the narrowing.
Whichever technique is used, the procedure itself will take about 10 minutes.
Your consultant will explain how to prepare for the procedure. You'll most likely be asked to not eat or drink anything for at least six hours prior to your procedure. You'll be given a sedative prior to the procedure. The effects of the sedative can last for up to 24 hours, so you should arrange for someone to come and collect you.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
Like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your consultant will explain these to you.
After the procedure, you'll be given some time to sit and recover. During this time, your nurse specialist will check on your blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Your nurse will then give you the results of the oesophageal dilation.
If you've asked someone to pick you up after the procedure, your specialist nurse will ask them to come and collect you. You may feel bloated after the procedure or notice some blood in your saliva. And it may seem like your swallowing hasn't improved. However, these symptoms should pass after a few days.
If you've asked someone to pick you up after the procedure, your specialist nurse will ask them to come and collect you. You may feel bloated after the procedure or notice some blood in your saliva. And it may seem like your swallowing hasn't improved. However, these symptoms should pass after a few days.
Our {{EntityName}} consultants
Dr Philip Woodland
Gastroenterology
Dr Adam Humphries
Gastroenterology
Professor Stuart Bloom
Gastroenterology
Dr Voi Shim Wong
Gastroenterology
Our {{EntityName}} locations
41 Welbeck Street
41 Welbeck Street W1G 8EA London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David's gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.