Having a Balloon Dilatation
of the Oesophagus
Introduction:
This leaflet tells you about a procedure
known as balloon dilatation of the
oesophagus.
considered, and if after discussion with
your doctors you do not want the
procedure carried out, you can decide
against it.
It is not meant to replace informed
discussion between you and your doctor,
but can act as a starting point for such a
discussion.
In most cases, balloon
dilatation of the oesophagus is done as a
pre-planned procedure with plenty of time
to discuss the situation with your
consultant, but occasionally it can be
performed as an emergency procedure,
with less time available for discussion.
Where will the procedure take place?
In the X-ray department, in a special
“screening” room which is adapted for
specialised procedures.
What is a balloon dilatation of the
oesophagus?
The oesophagus or gullet is a hollow
muscular tube which takes food from the
mouth down to the stomach. If it develops
a stricture or narrowing then there will
obviously be a problem swallowing. One
way of overcoming this problem is by
stretching the stricture with a special
balloon. Food can then pass down the
oesophagus more easily.
Why do I need a balloon dilatation of
the oesophagus?
Other tests that you might have had, such
as endoscopy or barium swallow, will have
shown that there is a narrowing in the
oesophagus.
Your doctor will have
discussed with you the reason why this
stricture may have developed and possible
treatments for it. Balloon dilatation is
considered the best treatment option for
you.
Who has made the decision?
Your consultant and the radiologist who
will perform the balloon dilatation will have
discussed your situation and feel that this
is the best treatment. You will have the
opportunity for your opinion to be
Who will be doing the balloon dilatation
of the oesophagus?
A specially trained doctor called a
radiologist.
Radiologists have special
expertise in using x-ray equipment and
also in interpreting the images produced.
They need to look at these images while
carrying out the procedure to make sure
that the balloon is inflated in the correct
position and that the balloon opens up the
stricture.
How do I prepare for balloon
dilatation of the oesophagus?
You will need to be an inpatient. You
will be asked not to eat for 6 hours
beforehand though you may be
allowed to drink some water up to 2
hours before the procedure. You will
be asked to put on a hospital gown
before
transfer
to
the
X-ray
department on a trolley.
You must tell the doctor about any
allergies, especially any previous
reactions to intravenous contrast
medium, the dye used for x-rays and
CT scanning.
What actually happens during the
balloon dilatation of the oesophagus?
You will lie on the x-ray table, usually on
your back. You will have a cuff wrapped
around your upper arm to measure your
blood pressure. Also you may have a
monitoring device attached to your finger
and oxygen given through small tubes or a
mask.
The radiologist will spray the back of your
throat with local anaesthetic to make the
procedure more comfortable. You will also
be given an injection for pain relief and
sedation to make the procedure more
comfortable.
To start with, a fine tube called a catheter
and guidewire are passed through your
mouth, down the gullet and through the
stricture. The catheter is then removed,
leaving the guidewire in place.
The
balloon catheter is advanced over the
guidewire to the correct position and
inflated several times to open up the
stricture, then all tubes and wires are
removed and you will be returned to the
ward.
Will it hurt?
There is likely to be some discomfort
whilst the stricture is being stretched. The
discomfort usually only lasts a very short
while as the stricture is being stretched.
As soon as the balloon pressure is
released then the discomfort usually stops.
How long will it take?
Every patient’s situation is different, and it
is not always easy to predict how complex
or straightforward the procedure will be.
Many of these procedures are completed
within 30 minutes but it can take up to one
hour.
What happens afterwards?
You will be taken back to the ward on a
trolley and you will need to rest in bed for
a few hours until you have recovered. If
there is no leakage following the
procedure then you will be allowed to take
some fluids from about 2 hours after the
procedure onwards, gradually building up
your diet over the following few days. You
will be advised as to what foods will be
safe to take.
Having a Balloon Dilatation of the Oesophagus
Version 1
© Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Reviewed Date: July 2015
Next Planned Review Date: July 2017
Division/Department: CSSD / Imaging
Are there any risks or complications?
The only significant complication of this
procedure is the possibility of a leak
developing following stretching the
stricture. If this occurs then a nasogastric
tube will have to be placed and left in for a
few days until the leak has sealed up.
Normally any leaks will seal within a week
or so, but occasionally it can take longer
than this.
In very rare situations, if the leak persists
with symptoms of chest pain, then you
may need an operation.
Some strictures have a tendency to
narrow down again following dilatation. To
stop this happening, we usually do this
procedure 2-3 times over a few months.
Finally ….
This leaflet should have answered some of
your questions, but remember this is only
a starting point for discussion about your
treatment with the doctors looking after
you.
We hope that you have found this
information useful.
If you have any
questions, or you are worried about
anything, please contact the X-ray
Department at the Chesterfield Royal
Hospital on 01246 512627.