Esophageal Stenosis Treatment in Israel

Professor Moshe (Erwin) Santo

Head of the Institute for the Treatment of Digestive System and Liver Diseases

At Top Ichilov Clinic, patients with esophageal stenosis receive a full range of the most effective and modern medical diagnostic and therapeutic services:

• Esophagoscopy;
• Esophageal bougienage;
• 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.

99%

of surgeries at Top Ichilov Clinic are performed using minimally invasive methods

78%

successful cases of disease treatment with medications

100%

high-precision diagnostic program

Get Prices

Treatment Methods

Narrowing (stenosis, 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, tumour, etc.). Esophageal stricture, regardless of its cause, significantly reduces the quality of life for the patient, as the person loses the ability to eat properly, experiences constant vomiting, and loses appetite and weight. At Top Ichilov, esophageal stenosis is treated using various modern surgical methods:

• Bougienage — the introduction of special instruments (bougies) of various calibers into the esophagus to gradually expand the stenotic area. Bougienage can be performed in various ways, with the most effective and safe method for the patient being endoscopic bougienage using an esophagogastroscope.
• Endless bougienage. 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 with the thread exits through the gastrostomy, specialists begin retrograde bougienage.
• Balloon dilation. Using special balloons, doctors can uniformly 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, twisted with a special string — is placed in the narrowed area under endoscopic control. After the stent is fixed, the string is removed, the tube expands, eliminating the esophageal stenosis. The installation of self-expanding stents is indicated for esophageal stenosis caused by tumorous diseases.

Diagnostic Methods

Before starting treatment for esophageal stenosis, patients at Top Ichilov undergo diagnostic examinations:

• Mandatory tests and analyses;
• X-ray examination of the esophagus;
• Esophagogastroscopy.