About this topic
Esophageal ablation is a way to treat the abnormal cells that go along with Barretts esophagus. Your esophagus is a tube which passes food from the mouth to the stomach. Sometimes, normal cells in the lower part of the esophagus change to a different kind of cell. This is called Barrett's esophagus. These abnormal cells could turn into precancer or cancer of the esophagus. ‚
One way to treat these cells is esophageal ablation. After you are sedated, your doctor will use an electrode and heat to destroy cells that are not normal in your esophagus. The healthy cells are not damaged. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Slowly move from a liquid diet to soft foods and then to your regular diet as ordered.
- Eat small meals more often. Do not skip meals. Do not eat large meals to make up for missed meals.
- Avoid eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.
- Avoid foods that cause you to have heartburn, like spicy foods and red sauces.
- Do not lie down for at least 2 hours after eating.
- Raise the head of your bed 6 to 8 inches. Use wooden blocks under the head of the bed. Just sleeping with your head raised on pillows is not enough.
- Avoid belts and clothing that are too tight.
- Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Do not smoke.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Relieve heartburn
- Prevent reflux
- Lessen acid production
Will physical activity be limited?
Rest for the first few days after the procedure. Avoid strenuous activities like heavy lifting and hard exercise. Ask your doctor when it is safe for you to go back to your normal activities, like work or driving. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- After your procedure you will be on a liquid diet for the first 24 hours.
- You will slowly add in soft foods and then slowly return to your normal diet. You may have some pain in your throat or chest with swallowing, but this will get a little better each day.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Hole in the esophagus
- Narrowing of the esophagus
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Pain or a feeling of food getting stuck in your throat
- Frequent throwing up or throwing up fluid that looks like blood or coffee grounds
- Pain in the neck, chest, or back
- Very bad heartburn that lasts for a long time
- Cough, hoarseness of voice, or bad breath
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, or other problems breathing
- Unintended weight loss or not wanting to eat
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever; throwing up; pain in the neck, chest, or back; or trouble breathing.
Where can I learn more?
National Institute of Health ‚
http://www.cc.nih.gov/drd/rfa/pdf/patients.pdf ‚
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚