Esophageal dilatation: Caring for your child at home after the procedure

Your child has had an esophageal dilatation. Esophageal dilatation is a technique used to stretch and enlarge a narrowed area of the esophagus (the tube in your body that carries food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach). The information on this page explains how to care for your child at home after the procedure, and when to call for help.

Discharge from the hospital

Most children who have undergone an esophageal dilatation go home the same day. Your child will be ready to go home about six to eight hours after the procedure. Occasionally some children will stay overnight after the procedure for observation.

Bathing

Your child can have a bath or shower the day of the procedure.

Meals

Your child should avoid eating solid foods for the first 24 hours after the procedure. Once at home, continue giving your child fluids, such as juice, soup or ice cream. Gradually introduce soft foods, such as mashed potatoes, pudding, and yogurt back into their diet. If your child is able to tolerate this well, they can go back to eating what they would normally eat. It is also important to encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids for 48 hours after the procedure.

Pain relief

If needed, give your child acetaminophen for pain. Do not give your child any medicines that will thin the blood, such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or ibuprofen, without checking with your child's health-care provider first.

Activity

If your child is feeling well enough, they can return to normal activities the day after the procedure. This includes school.

When to see a doctor

Call your child’s doctor or go to the nearest Emergency Department if your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Fever greater than 38°C (100.4°F)
• Throwing up (vomiting) that does not stop
• Vomiting blood
• Inability to swallow or drink fluids
• Severe pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness and pale colour
• General weakness

At SickKids

If you have any concerns in the first 48 hours, call the Image Guided Therapy (IGT) clinic at (416) 813- 7654 ext. 201804. Speak to the IGT clinic nurse during working hours or leave a non-urgent message.

If you have concerns and it is after working hours, see your primary care provider or go to the nearest Emergency Department. You can also call the Hospital for Sick Children switchboard at (416) 813-7500 and ask them to page a member of your child’s health-care team or the interventional radiology fellow on call.