Why is this procedure done?
Your esophagus is also called your food pipe. When you swallow, food moves from your mouth, through your food pipe, down into your stomach. Doctors do an esophagoscopy to look at your food pipe. Your doctor may order the procedure to: ‚
- See the cause of swallowing problems, throat pain, continuous throwing up for no known reason, or bleeding
- Check if your food pipe is inflamed, narrowed, or blocked
- Check tumors in the food pipe and see if they are cancer
- Check for infections in the throat
- Learn more about your reflux
- Spray dye into the esophagus to check for abnormal cells, like cancer
- Take a sample of your food pipe and do tests on it. This is called a biopsy.
- Look at your voice box or larynx
- Give drugs directly onto or into your food pipe
- Give laser treatment or ablation. Ablation is the use of heat to kill bad or abnormal cells.
- Tie off bleeding veins. This is ligation.
- Remove stuck objects inside the throat
What will the results be?
Your doctor will see the back of your throat and your food pipe. Your doctor will be able to learn more about what is causing the problems in your esophagus. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are: Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- If you are not feeling well. An infection from a cold or sore throat may raise the risk of infection.
Your doctor will do a physical exam and may order: ‚
You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- This procedure may be done in a procedure room or a doctors office. You will sit in a comfortable chair or lie on an exam table.
- Sometimes, you are awake for this procedure. The doctor will spray your throat or nose with a numbing drug to make you more comfortable. The drug may taste bitter.
- Other times you may be completely asleep for this procedure. The staff may put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You may be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the procedure.
- This procedure may be done in different ways. The doctor may use a flexible or rigid scope. It is put in through your mouth or nose and down into your throat. Talk to your doctor about which is the best way for you.
- The doctor will put a special scope in your mouth and down your food pipe. It is a long, thin tube with lights and a small camera. It sends images to a screen in the room where the camera is being used. Your doctor may ask you to swallow to help the scope pass through your throat.
- Your doctor may remove a tissue sample to be tested in the lab. This is called a biopsy. This is done by putting a small tool inside the laryngoscope and taking a very tiny piece of the surface of your throat. It may pinch, or you may feel nothing at all.
- Your doctor will remove the instruments and clean your mouth.
- The entire procedure will take 15 to 30 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely. You may go home after the procedure.
- You may have discomfort and numbness in your throat after the procedure. Your doctor may give you drugs for this.
What changes to diet are needed?
- You may have an upset belly after the procedure. Eat small amounts of soft foods the day after surgery. Avoid foods that have milk, as they cause mucus in the throat.
- Soft foods like gelatin or soups may be easier to eat at first. Ask your doctor if you need to make any changes to your diet.
What problems could happen?
- Injury to the structures around your esophagus
- A hole in the esophagus
- Throat pain
- Tongue soreness or numbness
- Injury to teeth
- Infection after biopsy
Where can I learn more?
National Cancer Institute ‚
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/esophageal/Patient/page3 ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚