First, your child will be administered anesthesia by our pediatric anesthesiologists to help them be completely asleep and comfortable.
The doctor will then gently guide an endoscope — a long, thin, flexible tube equipped with LED lights and a tiny video camera that transmits to several monitors in the room — into your child's mouth and down into the upper digestive system.
Then, the doctor will put a tiny balloon through the tube, and guide it into the esophageal stricture. They will then inflate the balloon just enough to stretch out the abnormal tissue, making it easier for your child to swallow. Your child's doctor may also insert some contrast dye through the endoscope and into the esophagus, and use X-ray images to make sure it's not leaking out of the esophagus.
Lastly, the doctor may insert a small tube called a stent or a sponge through the endoscope and into the area of the stricture. The stent or sponge will remain in place to keep the esophagus open as the tissue heals around it. It will be removed in a follow-up procedure later.
