Stricture dilatation is a medical procedure designed to treat narrowing in various parts of the body, such as the esophagus, urethra, or bile ducts. These narrowings, or strictures, can cause significant discomfort and health issues, including difficulty swallowing, urinary problems, and bile flow obstructions. At Tricity Clinic, we offer advanced stricture dilatation treatments to help alleviate these symptoms and improve the quality of life for our patients.
What is Stricture Dilatation?
Stricture dilatation involves the use of specialized instruments to gently stretch and widen the narrowed areas. This procedure is often performed using endoscopic guidance, allowing our skilled physicians to accurately target and treat the stricture without invasive surgery. Depending on the location and severity of the stricture, different techniques such as balloon dilatation or bougie dilatation may be employed.
Conditions Treated
Stricture dilatation can be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- Esophageal Strictures: Narrowing of the esophagus, often caused by acid reflux, surgery, or radiation therapy.
- Urethral Strictures: Narrowing of the urethra due to injury, infection, or chronic inflammation.
- Biliary Strictures: Narrowing of the bile ducts, which can occur after gallbladder surgery or due to diseases like primary sclerosing cholangitis.
- Intestinal Strictures: Narrowing of the intestines, which can result from Crohn’s disease, surgical scars, or other inflammatory conditions.
Procedure Details
- Consultation and Diagnosis:
- Comprehensive evaluation by our experienced medical team.
- Diagnostic tests such as endoscopy, imaging studies, and possibly biopsy to determine the cause and extent of the stricture.
- Preparation:
- Patients may need to fast before the procedure.
- Specific instructions will be provided based on the type of stricture and the planned treatment approach.
- Procedure:
- Performed under sedation or anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.
- An endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera) is inserted to visualize the stricture.
- Depending on the type of stricture, either a balloon dilator or a series of progressively larger dilators (bougies) are used to widen the narrowed area.
- Post-Procedure Care:
- Monitoring in a recovery area until the effects of sedation wear off.
- Instructions on diet, activity, and medications to aid recovery and prevent recurrence.
- Follow-up appointments to assess the effectiveness of the treatment and monitor for any potential complications.
Benefits of Stricture Dilatation at Tricity Clinic
- Minimally Invasive: Avoids the need for open surgery, resulting in shorter recovery times and less postoperative pain.
- Precision Treatment: Use of advanced endoscopic techniques allows for accurate and effective treatment.
- Experienced Team: Our highly skilled gastroenterologists and urologists have extensive experience in performing stricture dilatation procedures.
- Comprehensive Care: From diagnosis to treatment and follow-up, we provide a seamless and patient-centered approach to care.
