Esophageal dilation is used to treat esophageal strictures while a tracheal dilation is used to treat tracheal stenosis. Both conditions involve the narrowing of the passageway between the throat and the stomach.
Do not eat or drink for at least six hours before this procedure. Your throat will be sprayed with a local anesthetic and you may be given a sedative to help you relax. An endoscope will be passed through your mouth into your esophagus. Your doctor will then determine if they will use a dilating balloon or plastic dilator over a guiding wire to stretch your esophagus. You may experience some mild pressure in the back of your throat or chest during the procedure.
Depending on how narrow your esophagus or trachea was to start, you may need multiple dilation procedures. Each session will gradually increase the size until the area is no longer narrow; this method decreases the risk of complications.
Contact Sacramento Ear, Nose & Throat for more information or to schedule an appointment.