Professor Moshe (Erwin) SantoHead of the Institute for the Treatment of Digestive System and Liver Diseases
At the Top Ichilov clinic, patients with esophageal stricture receive a complete range of the most effective and modern medical diagnostic and treatment services:
- Esophagoscopy;
- Esophageal dilation;
- Balloon dilation of narrowed areas;
- Esophageal stenting.
All diagnostic and therapeutic procedures at Top Ichilov are performed using advanced equipment and under the strict supervision of experienced specialists, minimizing the risk of complications such as esophageal perforation, esophageal bleeding, etc.
Treatment Methods
Narrowing (stricture) of a specific section of the esophagus is a polyetiological disease, which can be caused by thermal, chemical, or inflammatory damage to the mucous membrane of the organ, as well as external pressure on the esophagus (spinal curvature, tumor, etc.). Esophageal stricture, regardless of its cause, significantly reduces the patient's quality of life, as the person loses the ability to eat properly, experiences constant vomiting, and loses appetite and weight. At Top Ichilov, esophageal stricture is treated using various modern surgical methods:
- Dilation — the introduction of special instruments (dilators) of various calibers into the esophagus to gradually expand the stenotic area. Dilation can be performed in various ways, with the most effective and safe for the patient being endoscopic dilation using an esophagogastroscope.
- Endless dilation. Indicated in severe cases where traditional access from above is not possible. A gastrostomy is performed on the patient, after which they are given a thin thread with a balloon at the end to swallow. Once the balloon and thread exit through the gastrostomy, specialists begin retrograde dilation.
- Balloon dilation. Using special balloons, doctors can evenly expand the entire area of esophageal narrowing while controlling the axial load on the tissues. The introduction of the balloon into the esophagus can be done using a guidewire, endoscope, or a combined method.
- Esophageal stenting. Currently considered the most effective method for eliminating esophageal stricture. A stent — a flexible tube made of metal and plastic, coiled with a special thread — is placed in the narrowed area under endoscopic control. After securing the stent, the thread is removed, the tube expands, eliminating the esophageal stricture. The placement of self-expanding stents is indicated for esophageal stricture caused by tumor diseases.
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Diagnostic Methods
Before starting treatment for esophageal stricture, patients at Top Ichilov undergo diagnostic examinations:
- Mandatory tests and analyses;
- X-ray examination of the esophagus;
- Esophagogastroscopy.
- Esophagoscopy with biopsy