Oesophageal Dilatation – Discharge Advice

You have had an Oesophageal Dilatation (an operation to widen a narrow or blocked food pipe) with sedation (a drug which makes you feel comfortable and relaxed).

This leaflet tells you what to expect and who to contact if you have any questions or worries when you get home.

A responsible adult must take you home and stay with you for 12 hours.

How will I feel when I get home?

You may:

• Feel tired for up to 12 hours.
• Have a sore throat for 24 hours.
• Have abdominal (tummy) or mild chest discomfort or feel bloated. This is due to the air put into your stomach during your examination and the stretching caused by the dilatation procedure; these symptoms usually settle within a few hours but may last for a few days.

You should:

• Relax quietly at home for the rest of the day.
• Drink fluids and have a soft diet later in the day, for example soft cereals such as Weetabix^® or Ready Brek^®, soups, soft puddings or ice cream.

You can slowly increase the texture of your food over the next couple of days. Gradually you will be able to try other foods to find out what you can swallow comfortably.

• Take any medications as normal, unless your doctor or Endoscopist has advised otherwise.
• Have warm drinks, walk around, suck sweets or drink peppermint water to help ease any abdominal discomfort you may have.

You must contact the Endoscopy or Day-case Unit (see contact numbers at the end of this leaflet), where you had your oesophageal dilatation immediately if you:

• Have severe pain in your neck, chest or abdomen.
• Develop a temperature higher than 38^oC (100.4^oF).
• Develop vomiting (being sick) or nausea (feeling sick).

If the unit is closed you must contact the Accident and Emergency department (see contact numbers at the end of this leaflet).

When I go home what activities should I avoid?

The effects of the sedation will last for at least 24 hours so it is important for you to follow this advice:

You must not

• Go back to work.
• Drive a car, ride a bicycle or motorcycle. It is an offence to drive while unfit to do so because of drugs, and it will likely invalidate your insurance policy.
• Make important decisions or sign any legal documents.
• Operate machinery or electrical appliances.
• Go near open flames or sources of high heat.
• Drink alcohol.
• Take sleeping tablets.
• Lock the toilet or bathroom door in case you need help.

When will I be told the results of my examination?

You will have been told the results of your oesophageal dilatation before you left the Endoscopy Unit. Following sedation, you may not remember everything you have been told.

If you gave your permission, a relative or friend may have been with you when you were told your results.

Your GP will be sent a copy of the report, usually within 24 hours.

Your Endoscopist may have told you, that you may need a repeat dilatation in the future and this will be monitored. You will have regular appointments in the Outpatient Department with your doctor if required.

If you need to stay on long term medications, this will also be discussed with you.

If you have had any biopsies (small pieces of tissue) taken and sent to a laboratory for further examination, the results of these tests (histology results) may not be known for up to 6 weeks.

Your GP will be sent a copy of these results. You can make an appointment to see your GP and discuss your results or, if you were given an outpatient appointment, your results will be discussed with you then.

Your histology results will not be available from the Endoscopy Unit.

Contact numbers

If you need further advice, or have any problems, please contact the appropriate number below:

University Hospital of North Tees

Endoscopy Unit

Telephone: 01642 624387

Monday to Saturday and Bank Holidays 8am to 7pm

If you have any worries or concerns you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours. 

Outside surgery hours, you should contact NHS 111.

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]