Restoring the Pathway: Dilatation of GI Strictures What is GI Stricture Dilatation? A GI stricture is a narrowing of a section of the digestive tract—most commonly in the esophagus, but also in the stomach or intestines. These narrowings are often caused by scar tissue from chronic acid reflux, previous surgeries, or inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease. Dilatation is a specialized procedure performed during an endoscopy to gently stretch and widen these narrowed areas to restore normal passage. Depending on the location and nature of the stricture, our specialists utilize two primary techniques: Balloon Dilatation: A small, deflated balloon is passed through the endoscope into the narrowed area. Once positioned, it is gradually inflated with air or water to a specific pressure, stretching the stricture from the inside out. Bouginage: A series of flexible, weighted dilators (bougies) of increasing thickness are passed through the stricture to gradually expand the opening. This is often used for longer or more complex narrowings. Why is this Procedure Personally Vital for You? When the digestive tract is narrowed, even simple acts like swallowing water or eating a meal can become difficult and painful. This procedure is personally vital for you if: You Experience Dysphagia: If you have the sensation of food "getting stuck" in your chest or throat, dilatation can provide immediate and significant relief. You Have Chronic Reflux Damage: Long-term acid exposure can cause "Schatzki rings" or peptic strictures that require mechanical widening to prevent total obstruction. You Are Managing Surgical Scarring: If you have had previous gastrointestinal surgery, the resulting scar tissue (anastomotic stricture) may need stretching to ensure the surgical site functions correctly. You Seek to Avoid Major Reconstruction: In many cases, periodic endoscopic dilatation can successfully manage a narrowing, allowing you to avoid more invasive surgical reconstructions of the esophagus or bowel. The Path to Free Passage and Recovery The goal of dilatation is to return your digestive tract to its natural diameter, allowing you to eat and drink without fear or discomfort. This pathway is designed to: Improve Functional Flow: By widening the passage, we aim to eliminate the risk of food impaction and restore your ability to maintain proper nutrition. Ensure a High-Safety Procedural Workup: Because stretching tissue carries a small risk of a tear, we require a comprehensive medical history, diagnostic X-rays (often a barium swallow to map the stricture''s length), and blood tests to confirm your overall health and healing capacity. A Focused Recovery and Stabilization Window: While you may feel an immediate improvement in swallowing, the stretched tissue needs time to stabilize and "set" in its new position. We focus on a 2–3 week recovery and stabilization period. During this time, our multidisciplinary team will guide you through a specialized staged diet (moving from liquids to solids) and monitor for any signs of discomfort to ensure the results are durable and safe. All details are subject to doctor evaluation for the final treatment plan.