What are endoscopic dilatations?

Endoscopic dilatation is the procedure by which your doctor dilates an area of narrowing of the digestive tract, most commonly the oesophagus but also applied to small and large bowel strictures. This procedure is performed when the lumen is so significantly narrowed that the patient experiences pain, obstructive symptoms and difficulty or complete inability to swallow. It is an operation which does not usually cause complications. It is used in cases of benign narrowing of the digestive tract and to avoid surgery.

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Dilatation of the esophagus

The most common indication of oesophageal dilatation is scarring of the oesophagus due to repeated episodes of acid reflux, usually as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Other causes of oesophageal stricture are:

• Oesophageal rings or networks (benign fibrous tissue), e.g. Schatzki's ring
• Ingestion of caustic substances
• Scar stenosis after radiotherapy
• Esophageal motility disorders, e.g. esophageal achalasia

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Dilatation of the small or large intestine

The most common indication of small or large bowel dilatation is scarring of the lumen of the bowel by fibrous tissue that causes obstructive symptoms. It most commonly occurs in postoperative lumen strictures in surgical anastomoses or in lower digestive tract strictures in Crohn's disease stenosis. Most commonly these patients have symptoms of pain due to the stricture. 

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Preparation for surgery

The preparation for the procedure is the same as for gastroscopy or colonoscopy depending on the location of the stenosis to be dilated. 

After the endoscope is inserted, a catheter is placed along the stenosis through which a balloon is inflated which dilates the stenosis. 

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Are there any complications after the end of esophageal dilations?

If your doctor is experienced in performing dilatations, complications after the procedure are rarely seen. As with any other medical procedure, it is possible to notice some minor problems after the end of the procedure but these are very uncommon. In a very small percentage of patients, rarely a perforation of the bowel or oesophagus may occur and these patients will need surgery to repair the damage. Some patients experience bleeding which is either self-limiting or treated during surgery.

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Will I need to repeat the esophageal dilations?

​In several cases of oesophageal or bowel dilatation and depending on the diameter of the initial stricture, the dilatation procedure may need to be repeated in order to achieve the desired diameter and to avoid any side effects