Perforations of the esophagus after

Perforations of the esophagus after balloon dilation are usually small. For the treatment of small perforations, your doctor will probably admit you to the hospital for intravenous feeding and antibiotic treatment. This usually results in healing of the perforation within one week without surgery. Large perforations usually require emergency surgery for repair. In some cases, your doctor might recommend surgery even for a small perforation. Another option for treatment of small perforations is the placement of an esophageal stent, which is a short plastic tube that is positioned in the esophagus to seal the perforation. The stent prevents swallowed material from entering the perforation, which enables the perforation to heal, but allows swallowed material to pass through the stent into the stomach. A key factor in the successful treatment of perforation of the esophagus is rapid identification of the perforation and rapid implementation of treatment. You should call your physician immediately if you experience increasing pain after balloon dilation, especially if you develop a fever or chills.

Bleeding is another important, but infrequent complication of balloon dilation. This complication usually occurs immediately after the dilation. Symptoms of bleeding include dizziness or fainting, especially on standing up, vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, and the passage of black or bloody stools. You should notify your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.

Patients also can develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after balloon dilation. Because the LES is the principal barrier that prevents stomach contents from refluxing (backwashing) into the esophagus, LES disruption by balloon dilation can lead to acid reflux. GERD occurs in about 2 percent of people after balloon dilation, but is usually easily controlled with acid-reducing medications. (See "Patient information: Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease) in adults (Beyond the Basics)".)