About Your Esophageal Manometry
 What
is an Esophageal Manometry?
An esophageal manometry is an examination of
the esophagus (swallowing tube) through a small
flexible catheter (thinner than a pencil). It
is inserted through your nasal passage into
the esophagus and passed into the stomach. The
end of the catheter contains pressure sensors,
which will measure the pressure of the upper
an lower esophageal valves, as well as the contractions
of the esophagus as you swallow. The other end
of the catheter, which emerges from the nose,
is connected to a computer monitoring system
which records the internal pressures continuously
and in detail. You may also receive some medications
to assist with your diagnosis. This allows a
specially trained physician to examine the esophagus
and to identify any abnormalities.
Plan
to Do in Advance
1. Medications, Vitamins and Supplements
To properly prepare for your procedure, you may
need to make certain changes to your daily medication
routine.
- Discontinue all motility drugs, such as Propulsid
(Cisapride), Reglan (Metoclopramide), Levsinex
(Hyoscyamine), Levsin, or Bentyl (Dicycloine),
24 hours before your procedure, unless your
doctor has instructed you to continue taking
the medications for the tests.
- Avoid the use of narcotics for 24 hours before
your procedure.
- If you take insulin, consult with your physician
about making any necessary changes in you daily
regimen.
- Certain medications should be continued
prior to your lower esophageal manometry. If
you take cardiac (heart) or anti-hypertensive
(high blood pressure) pills, take them as you
normally do with small sips of water.
2. In addition to changes to your medication,
you'll also need to:
- Bring a list of all your medications (prescription
medications, over-the-counter medications and
eye drops) with you on the day of your procedure.
You may bring the medication bottles themselves.
- Be prepared to list and describe your ALLERGIES
and REACTIONS to any medications.
- Bring any information the physician may need,
including X-ray or endoscopy reports, to your
visit.
On
the Day Before Your Procedure
To ensure the most accurate results possible,
it is important that you do not eat or drink anything
after midnight on the day before your procedure,
unless you are scheduled for an afternoon procedure.
The exception is medication taken with small sips
of water.
If you scheduled for an afternoon procedure,
you may continuing drinking clear liquids up to
6 hours prior to your arrival time.
CLEAR LIQUIDS: water, apple juice, ginger ale,
sprite, beef or chicken broth WITHOUT noodles,
coffee or tea WITHOUT cream or milk, most sodas,
sherbet, pop-sicles, and Jell-O that is not
red or orange. DO NOT DRINK ANYTHING RED OR
ORANGE.
On
the Day of Your Procedure
- On the day of your esophageal manometry,
please come directly to the requested location
at your scheduled arrival time and check in
with the receptionist. Plan to spend several
hours at the unit to allow time for your preparation,
your procedure, and your recovery.
- If you have a history of heart disease, make
sure you tell the nurse performing your test
before it begins. If you do have a history of
heart disease, your doctor may decide NOT to
perform a certain portion of the test.
- Before the procedure, a nurse will greet
you and assist you with changing into a hospital
gown. An IV may be placed in your arm for medications
during your procedure. The specially trained
nurse will pass the thin, flexible tube into
the esophagus and into the stomach. The test
takes approximately 1 hour to complete.
After
Your Procedure
As soon as the procedure is completed, the tube
will be removed. You may then return home and
resume your normal activities. Your physician
will review the test results and discuss them
with you during your follow-up appointment or
will send a report to your referring physician.
If you would like to speak to a nurse regarding
your procedure or preparation, or if you need
to reschedule your procedure, please call the
appropriate number:
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Procedure questions: 215-662-2122
To reschedule: 215-349-8222
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Procedure questions: 215-662-9131
To reschedule: 215-662-8900
Penn Medicine at Radnor
All questions: 610-920-1500
Please be aware that these instructions apply
to patients scheduled for procedures at the Hospital
of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Presbyterian
Medical Center and Penn Medicine at Radnor. However,
your doctor may give you different instructions
or procedures. If you have any questions about
your procedure, please contact your physician
at the Digestive & Liver Center.
Digestive System Illustration
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