Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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It has been recommended that you have an oesophageal dilatation.
An oesophageal dilatation is the stretching of a stricture - or narrowing - of your oesophagus (gullet) to improve swallowing. A flexible tube (an endoscope) and a similar tube (a dilator) are passed through the mouth into the oesophagus and down to the stricture. Gentle pressure is then applied to push the dilator through the stricture. This is repeated using larger dilators until the narrow area has been stretched. Alternatively, a special balloon may be used on the end of the tube to stretch the narrowing.
An oesophageal dilatation requires the use of a sedative drug. The type of sedation used is called conscious sedation and is not a full general anaesthetic. This means that although you will feel sleepy, relaxed and may not remember the examination, you will still be able to respond to verbal instructions, i.e., you are awake, but drowsy. Sedation is given through an intravenous cannula, which is a small tube that is put into a vein in the back of your hand.
After having sedation, you must have someone who can take you home and look after you for the rest of the day.
Are there any risks involved?
The procedure will be performed by a highly trained doctor, who will take every care to reduce any risks.
- A perforation (a tear in the lining) is an extremely rare but serious complication, which will involve your having to stay in hospital. The risk of this happening is about 3 out of every 1,000 cases. If a perforation does happen, it can be serious and may require emergency treatment, including surgery. In very rare cases this could be life threatening.
- Bleeding is a rare complication that usually does not need any further treatment. A small amount of bleeding, noticed in vomit or as black stools, is not unusual and should not cause alarm. This may occur up to several days after the procedure. If heavier bleeding occurs (equal to more than a cupful) further treatment in hospital may be needed.
- The use of a sedative drug can, in a very small number of patients (1 in 1,000), cause the breathing or heart rate to slow down. For this reason, the nurse will put a probe on your finger to monitor your pulse and oxygen levels. You might also have your blood pressure monitored. The effects of the sedative are easy to reverse if necessary. If you are asthmatic, or have any breathing difficulties, please inform the nurse on your arrival and bring your inhaler with you if you use one.
What are the after-effects of the sedative?
If you have had a sedative, you may feel tired, dizzy or weak.
If you have had sedation, for 24 hours after your procedure you must not:
• Drive
• Operate potentially dangerous machinery
• Drink any alcohol
• Take sleeping tablets or recreational drugs
• Use potentially dangerous appliances such as a cooker or kettle
• Have a bath unsupervised
• Look after dependents on your own
• Go to work
• Sign any legal documents
Do I need to stop taking my medication?
- For patients on oral anticoagulants (warfarin, apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban) OR the antiplatelet drugs clopidogrel or ticagrelor, we will advise how these medications should be managed around your procedure. Please contact us on 0300 615 4157 (Wexham) or 0300 613 6045 (Frimley Park) if you have not been contacted regarding the above medication.
- For patients on warfarin, please have your INR checked 7 days before your procedure and call us at 0300 615 4163 (Wexham) or 0300 613 6045 (Frimley Park) with the result. Your INR will be checked again on the day of the procedure by our nursing team.
- 75 mg daily of aspirin may be continued.
- If you have had a heart attack, have acute heart failure or have had a coronary stent inserted recently, it is advisable to wait until your condition has stabilised before having your procedure, usually 6 weeks. Check with us by telephoning 0300 615 4157 (Wexham) or 0300 613 6045 (Frimley Park). Please also check with your cardiologist.
- If you are taking any regular medication for diabetes, please read the Diabetes advice leaflet or please telephone 0300 615 4157 (Wexham) or 0300 613 6647 (Frimley Park) if you have not received this. The advice leaflet will explain how to control your blood sugar around the time of your procedure and bring your diabetic pills or insulin with you. It is important to maintain a blood sugar above 5 mmol/l leading up to your procedure. Check your blood sugar level and if necessary, take some glucose tablets ahead of your procedure to achieve this.
- Please let us know by telephoning 0300 615 4157 (Wexham) or 0300 613 6647 (Frimley Park) if you have pacemaker or cardiac device implants or if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
Do I need to prepare?
We need to get a clear view, so your stomach must be empty.
Do not eat anything for six hours.
You can have clear fluids such as water or black tea up to three hours before the procedure.
Please wear comfortable, loose clothing when you come for the procedure
What should I bring with me?
• The name and contact number of the person collecting you.
• A list of medications including herbal and over the counter medications
• A list of any allergies to medication, food or substances
• Essential medications such as insulin, Parkinson’s medication, epilepsy medications etc.
Please do not bring any valuables with you. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage to personal property during your stay in endoscopy.
General information
Please do not bring any items of value such as jewellery or credit cards. We cannot accept any responsibility for their loss.
What does the procedure involve?
It will not be necessary for you to undress for the procedure. In the endoscopy room you will be made comfortable on a couch, lying on your left side. A nurse will stay with you throughout the test. A plastic mouthpiece will be placed gently between your teeth or gums to keep your mouth open. When the endoscopist passes the endoscope through the mouthpiece and into your stomach, it should not cause any pain, nor will it interfere with your breathing at any time. During the examination air will be passed down the endoscope to distend the stomach. This is done to give the endoscopist a clear view and may cause some discomfort. When the examination is finished the endoscope is removed quickly and easily and the air is sucked out. Throat spray will numb the back of the throat and help to make it less sensitive.
What should I bring with me?
• The name and contact number of the person collecting you.
• A list of medications including herbal and over the counter medications
• A list of any allergies to medication, food or substances
• Essential medications such as insulin, Parkinson’s medication, epilepsy medications etc.
Please do not bring any valuables with you. The hospital cannot accept responsibility for the loss or damage to personal property during your stay in endoscopy.
What happens when I arrive?
Please note that your appointment time is the time that you should arrive in the department. It is not the time of your actual procedure. We recommend that you plan to be with us for the whole morning or afternoon, depending on your time slot.
When you arrive, a nurse will fill out an assessment form with you to ask about your arrangements for getting home. If you have sedation someone must come to the endoscopy unit; collect you and stay with you overnight. You will not be allowed to go home on your own in a taxi.
The nurse will check your temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate and oxygen levels. If applicable the nurse will check your INR and blood sugar levels. If you chose to have sedation a nurse will put a cannula (small plastic tube) into a vein usually on the back of your hand, through which the endoscopist will administer sedation.
Consent
We must, by law, obtain your written consent to any procedures beforehand. We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. Staff will explain all the risks, benefits and alternatives. If you decide to go ahead, we will ask you to sign a consent form. If you are unsure about any aspect of the treatment proposed, please do not hesitate to speak with a member of staff.
What happens before the test?
A nurse will take you into the endoscopy procedure room and make you comfortable on an examination trolley. The nursing team will confirm your details again as part of our safety check list. The nurse will then monitor your blood pressure, pulse, respiration rate, oxygen levels and temperature.
A nurse or endoscopist will give the anaesthetic throat spray and ask you to lie down on your left side. A nurse will put a mouthguard in your mouth and ask you to bite gently on it. This makes it easier for the endoscope to be passes down your throat.
If you are having a sedative you will be given it now, just before the start of the test. Oxygen will be given through a sponge placed in your nostril.
What happens during the examination
A nurse will stay with you throughout the examination. You will be made comfortable on a couch, resting on your side. For your comfort, your throat will be sprayed with local anaesthetic and you will be given sedation to make you sleepy and relaxed. You will be asked to remove your spectacles and dentures. X-ray equipment may be used and the staff will then be wearing protective x-ray aprons. The amount of x-rays you receive will be strictly controlled for your safety.
What happens after the examination
You should expect to stay in hospital for 3 - 4 hours. Your throat may feel slightly sore. After resting for at least 2 hours, you will be given a drink and some biscuits. The results and plans will be explained to you before you go home.
If you have had a sedative injection, your mental ability to think clearly and make decisions may be affected for up to 24 hours after the procedure even though you feel wide-awake. For this reason, you must have someone who can collect you from the Unit, take you home and look after you for the rest of the day. However, you may resume eating as normal, unless otherwise informed.
If you have had sedation, for 24 hours after your procedure you must not:
• Drive
• Operate potentially dangerous machinery
• Use potentially dangerous appliances, such as a cooker or kettle
• Have a bath unsupervised
• Look after dependants on your own
• Go to work
• Sign any legal documents
• Drink any alcohol, take sleeping tablets or recreational drugs
Frimley Park Hospital
For medication queries, please contact the nursing team between 8am–1pm Monday to Friday:
Endoscopy Unit, Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 6045
For appointment queries or to request information leaflets, including diabetic leaflets, contact the admin team:
Endoscopy booking for Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 6647
Frimley - fhft.endoscopyadminfph@
Wexham Park Hospital
For medication queries, please contact the nursing team between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday
Lady Sobell Unit, Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 4163
Endoscopy Suite, Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 9448
For appointment queries or to request information leaflets, including diabetic leaflets, contact the admin team:
Endoscopy booking for Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 4157
Wexham - fhft.endoscopyquerieshwph@
If you need an interpreter, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can arrange for a qualified person to attend your appointments.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Endoscopy service.
About this information
Service:
Endoscopy
Reference:
H/010
Approval date:
8 July 2025
Review date:
1 July 2028
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.