Health Library

Esophageal Dilation

Before the Dilation

To get ready for this procedure, your child must limit eating and drinking. If your child eats solids or drinks liquids, make sure to stop:

• Solid foods 7 hours before the arrival time
• Liquids 3 hours before the arrival time

You and your child will report to Same Day Surgery 90 minutes before the start of the procedure, where your child will be prepared for surgery.

Parents or legal guardians are able to stay with the child until the surgery team arrives to take them to the operating room. The anesthesiologist will place a soft mask over your child's face with "sleepy gas." During this time, you will be escorted to the Surgery Waiting Area until the procedure is complete.

During the Dilation

The doctor will use a balloon catheter to dilate (stretch) the narrowing in the esophagus. If needed, the doctor can use a special type of X-ray to locate the narrowing and dilate this area.This takes approximately 30 minutes.

When the procedure is done, your child will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where they will wake up. You will join your child in the PACU as soon as your child is fully awake.

After the Dilation

When your child is fully awake, they may have a clear liquid diet. Your child will then advance to a soft diet when they are able.

Most children go home the same day as the dilation. Your child may experience some discomfort in their throat and may see a small amount of blood in their spit.

If your child is able to take clear liquids without problem, you may try a soft diet and progress to a regular diet if your child's doctor says that it is OK.

If your child experiences any severe pain or bleeding after going home, call your doctor right away.