About Esophagoscopy
Key Highlights
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Minimally Invasive: Typically performed without external incisions, leading to less discomfort and faster recovery.Accurate Diagnosis: Provides direct, real-time visualization of the esophageal lining for precise identification of issues.Therapeutic Potential: Allows for immediate interventions like biopsy, dilation of strictures, or foreign body removal during the same procedure.listrongOutpatient Procedure:/strong Often done on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can usually return home the same day./lilistrongGuides Treatment:/strong Essential for planning effective management strategies for conditions like GERD, esophagitis, or Barrett's esophagus./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Persistent difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) or painful swallowing (odynophagia).
- Unexplained chest pain not related to the heart.
- Chronic, severe heartburn or acid reflux (GERD) symptoms unresponsive to medication.
- Suspected esophageal strictures, rings, or webs causing obstruction.
- Evaluation of suspected Barrett's esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition.
- Investigation of upper gastrointestinal bleeding or anemia of unknown origin.
- Removal of a foreign object lodged in the esophagus.
- Surveillance for patients with a history of esophageal cancer or certain high-risk conditions.
- Assessment of injury from caustic substance ingestion.
How to prepare
- Fasting: Complete fasting (no food or liquids) is required for 6-8 hours before the procedure to ensure an empty stomach.
- Medication Review: Inform your ENT doctor about all medications, especially blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, warfarin), which may need to be temporarily adjusted.
- Medical History: Disclose any allergies, bleeding disorders, heart conditions, or previous surgeries.
- Consent: A detailed discussion of the procedure, risks, and benefits will be held, and informed consent will be obtained.
- Arrangements: Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure, as sedation effects can impair driving.
Risks & possible complications
- Sore Throat: Mild throat discomfort or hoarseness is common for a day or two.
- Bleeding: Minor bleeding may occur at a biopsy site, but significant bleeding is rare.
- Perforation: A very small risk of creating a tiny tear (perforation) in the esophageal wall, which may require further treatment.
- Reaction to Sedation: Possible adverse reactions to the sedative or anesthetic medications used.
- Infection: Risk is extremely low but possible, especially if a therapeutic intervention is performed.
- Aspiration: Inhaling stomach contents into the lungs is a rare complication.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate Post-Procedure: You will be monitored in a recovery area until the effects of sedation wear off (1-2 hours).
- Diet: Start with clear liquids and advance to soft foods as tolerated once your gag reflex returns. Avoid hot, spicy, or rough foods for the first 24 hours.
- Activity: Rest for the remainder of the day. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions for 24 hours due to sedation.
- Symptom Management: Mild throat pain can be managed with throat lozenges, warm salt water gargles, or over-the-counter pain relievers as advised by your doctor.
- Follow-up: Your doctor will discuss preliminary findings before you leave. A follow-up appointment is scheduled to review biopsy results (if taken) and discuss the treatment plan.
- Warning Signs: Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe chest or abdominal pain, fever, difficulty breathing, or vomiting blood.
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Typical hospital stay: 0-1 days (Typically outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 1-2 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering esophagoscopy in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for esophagoscopy in India include Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Manipal Hospital Hebbal, KMC Hospital Mangalore, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform esophagoscopy. MediFyr helps you compare ent specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for esophagoscopy compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Esophagoscopy in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated ent teams and experience managing patients undergoing esophagoscopy.
Aditya Das, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Aditya Das, a 42-year-old software engineer and father of two, had always been a 'silent sufferer' of acid reflux. Over the past year, his occasional heartburn escalated into a persistent, raw feeling in his throat and a constant sensation of a lump when swallowing. His love for spicy food, a staple of his Bengali upbringing, became a source of dread. His primary doctor referred him to an ENT specialist, Dr. Mehta, who, concerned about the duration and worsening symptoms, recommended an esophagoscopy to rule out complications like Barrett's esophagus or strictures. Aditya was terrified of being sedated and the idea of a scope going down his throat. The day of the procedure, the nursing staff was reassuring. The sedation was quick, and he remembered nothing. Waking up, his throat was scratchy but not painful. Dr. Mehta explained they found and dilated a mild esophageal stricture and took biopsies, all of which came back benign. With a new medication regimen and dietary changes, Aditya's symptoms improved dramatically within weeks. Emotionally, he moved from a state of quiet anxiety and fear of a serious illness to profound relief and a sense of regained control over his health and enjoyment of life.
ENT Specialists for Esophagoscopy
Explore experienced ent specialists who regularly perform esophagoscopy and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 16 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 9 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 43 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 38 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 36 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 29 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 10 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 14 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Mysore, Mysore
- 19 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 26 Years Experience
- ENT Specialist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore