The esophagus is the tube that connects your throat to your stomach.
Muscle in the wall of the esophagus contracts to push food down to your
stomach. A sphincter (muscle) at the lower end of the esophagus remains
closed except when food or liquid is swallowed or when you belch or
vomit.
Your physician has recommended esophageal manometry to help provide you with appropriate care.
Esophageal Manometry
What is esophageal manometry and why is it performed?
This test measures the pressures and the pattern of muscle
contractions in your esophagus. Abnormalities in the contractions and
strength of the muscle or in the sphincter at the lower end of the
esophagus can result in pain, heartburn, and/or difficulty swallowing.
Esophageal manometry is used to diagnose the conditions that can cause
these symptoms.
How should I prepare for this test?
An empty stomach allows for the best and safest examination, so do
not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the test.
Since many medications can affect esophageal pressure and the natural
muscle contractions required for swallowing, be sure to discuss with
your healthcare professional each medication you are taking. Your
doctor may ask that you temporarily stop taking one or more medications
before your test.
What can I expect during the test?
A healthcare professional will apply a cream to numb the inside of
your nostrils. Then a thin, flexible, lubricated tube will be passed
through your nose and into your stomach. Some patients may gag while
the tube is passed through their throat. It may help to swallow sips of
water as the tip of the tube is advanced and placed at the lower part
of the esophagus. When the tube is in position, you will be sitting or
lying on your side or back. Once the test begins it is important to
breathe slowly and smoothly, remain as quiet as possible and avoid
swallowing unless instructed to do so.
As the tube is slowly pulled out of your esophagus, a computer
measures and records the pressures in different parts of your esophagus.
During the test, you may experience some discomfort in your nose
and/or throat. The test will take approximately 45 minutes to complete
and the results will be sent to your doctor’s office.
What can I expect after the test?
After the test, you may experience a sore throat, which typically
improves within a day. You may also experience a stuffy nose or a minor
nosebleed, which will also go away within 24 hours. Unless your
physician has given you other instructions, you may resume normal
meals, activities, and any interrupted medications.
What are the possible risks associated with esophageal manometry?
As with any medical procedure, there are certain risks. While
serious side effects of this procedure are rare, it is possible that
you could experience irregular heartbeats, aspiration (when stomach
contents flow back into the esophagus and are breathed into the lung),
or perforation (a hole in the esophagus). During insertion, the tube
may be misdirected into the windpipe before being repositioned.
Precautions are taken to prevent such risks, and your physician
believes the risks are outweighed by the benefits of this test.
What if the tube cannot be passed?
In some situations, correct placement of the tube may require
passage through the mouth or insertion using endoscopy (a procedure
that uses a thin, flexible lighted tube). Your physician will determine
the best approach.
Reprinted from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Esophageal Manometry
