Esophageal Manometry (Motility Study) in New Orleans, LA
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Find a ProviderWhat is an esophageal motility study?
An esophageal motility study is an evaluation performed to assess the contractile and relaxation abilities of the esophagus. To perform the study, a slender and flexible catheter will be positioned through the nose and into the esophagus. A motility assessment may be performed before undergoing esophageal surgery or to help determine the cause of:
- Trouble swallowing
- Regurgitation
- Severe gastroesophageal reflux
- Esophageal spasms
- Chest pain
To consult with a Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates gastroenterology specialist who can administer an esophageal motility test or esophageal manometry in New Orleans, LA, please call a local gastroenterology office.
What happens the day before an esophageal motility test?
Before your esophageal motility test, you will receive instructions from your Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates provider regarding the necessary preparations. The majority of patients will be allowed to eat normally the day before the study. Patients will be prompted not to consume any food or beverages by mouth after midnight except for medications. It is extremely imperative to follow the information and instructions provided to you by your GI provider. Specific instructions regarding medications you might be taking will also be reviewed. In the majority of situations, your medications will not be altered. For some patients, however, especially in patients who take anticoagulants, (for example Coumadin®, warfarin, Plavix®, aspirin, and anti-inflammatories) and in those with diabetes, specific instructions will be administered.
What happens on the day of my esophageal motility test?
On the day of your study, you will be instructed to arrive at the endoscopy facility half an hour ahead of the exam. This is to allow time to fill out patient forms and get ready for the test.
After entering the procedure room, you will need to lie down on an exam table. One of your nostrils will be numbed with lidocaine. A member of our medical team will then position a narrow tube into your nose. As the tube is advanced into the esophagus, you will be encouraged to swallow to help open the esophageal area. Our team will initially position the catheter to gauge the squeeze of the lower esophageal sphincter. We will then gauge the contractile ability of the muscles in other areas of the esophagus. When we reach this part of the assessment, you will be required to drink 10 – 20 small sips of water. After this, the procedure will be complete and the catheter will be withdrawn. In most cases, the procedure will take about 30 – 60 minutes.
Since no sedation is administered for the study, you will be able to leave the endoscopy unit after the exam is complete. In most situations, patients are able to drink and eat normally after their discharge from the endoscopy unit, but specific instructions surrounding medications, physical activity, and eating will be provided to you before discharge.
When will I learn the results of my esophageal manometry study?
Because the computer program will produce graphs and charts from the data acquired throughout your procedure, the test results will not be available until after you leave the endoscopy center. Your assessment results will be read by the gastroenterologist at a future time. You will likely get a call from your New Orleans, LA provider within one week with information about the esophageal manometry study results.
Are there any risks of an esophageal manometry study?
Esophageal motility tests are generally a very safe procedure. Complications occur in less than 1% of individuals. In most cases, these complications are not fatal, but if a complication develops, it may lead to hospitalization and surgery. Before we begin the procedure, a consent form will be discussed with the patient by the healthcare staff at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates.
Perforation or puncture of the esophagus is a highly unlikely occurrence but can happen. This might be detected at the time of the study, or it may not be apparent until later in the day. Most of the time, a perforation will require a hospital stay and surgery to repair.
It is essential to contact the provider's office immediately if symptoms arise following the test, such as fever, increasing abdominal pain, or bleeding.
Much like with any other evaluation, an esophageal motility procedure is not perfect. There exists a small, acknowledged risk that abnormalities might go unnoticed throughout the test. It is imperative to continually visit your providers as instructed and inform them of any new or ongoing concerns.
What are alternatives to an esophageal motility test?
To a certain extent, any alternatives to the test will be based on the reason behind needing to have an esophageal manometry in the first place. For the majority of individuals, an esophageal motility study is the best method to assess the contractile function of the esophagus. Although, an x-ray referred to as an esophagram, either by itself or in the course of a barium swallow/upper GI, can also assess the esophagus as well.
An esophageal motility study to evaluate symptoms
If you or a family member experiences problems such as difficulty swallowing, chest pain, or regurgitation, then an esophageal manometry evaluation can help your medical provider gain a deeper understanding of the problem and determine the ideal way to diagnose and address it. To talk with a digestive health specialist to hear more about this type of test, contact a local Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates in your community. As a skilled group of gastrointestinal specialists, we proudly take a patient-first approach that enables us to deliver the utmost standard of care. For further details about esophageal manometry in New Orleans, LA, please contact our staff today.
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Dr. Mayer is a caring and knowledgeable doctor. He listens to you and does not rush to get you out. He is genuinely interested in helping you .
Dear Doctor B. Hymel, Thank you for your assistance in performing the colonscope procedure. I would greatly appreciate if you inform your admissions, nurses and all others who represent you during the aforementioned procedure that they want above and beyond the call to be very helpful to my specific needs. Sincerely yours, George Corcoran
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