Esophageal Manometry - UW Health

Esophageal ManometryAn esophageal manometry test measures the movement and function of theesophagus and the valve muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Themanometry test is a tool to help assess swallowing problems.How Does the Esophagus Work?The esophagus is the tube that carries foodand liquid from the throat to the stomach.The wall of the esophagus containsmuscles that contract in a wave-likemotion when a person swallows. Thismoves food down the esophagus.Another important part of the esophagus isthe lower valve muscle. This muscleremains closed most of the time, onlyopening when swallowed food or liquid ismoved down the esophagus or when aperson belches or vomits. This muscleprotects the lower esophagus from stomachacid and bile. These fluids cause the painof heartburn and in time can lead todamage and scarring in the esophagus.

How is the Test Done?A thin tube is passed through your mouth or nose and into your stomach. Theinside of your nose will be numbed with lidocaine jelly. It will then pass into yourstomach. You may gag. This is normal. The tube is pulled slowly back into theesophagus. It is important to tell your doctor if you have symptoms during the test.When the tube is in the esophagus, you will be asked to swallow. The swallowingwave will be recorded.The tube is removed when the test is done. You can expect the appointment to take30 – 45 minutes, the procedure itself will last about 15 minutes.Why is this Test Done?There are a number of symptoms that begin in the esophagus. These includeheartburn, problems swallowing food or liquid, and chest pain. The exam is oftendone before and after treatments to the esophagus.One Week before Your ProcedureBlood thinning medicines should be stopped as follows:• No Effient®/Prasugrel for 7 days• No Coumadin®/Warfarin for 5 days• No Plavix®/Clopidogrel for 5 days• No Iron for 5 days• No Pradaxa®/Dabigatran for 2 days

Day of the ProcedureDo not eat any solid food after midnight the day of the exam. You may have clearliquids until 4 hours before you arrive.Clear liquids include:▪ Jell-O ® with nothing in it▪ Clear broth▪ Carbonated sodas▪ Popsicles ®▪ Clear juices (apple, grape orcranberry)▪ Weak tea or coffee with nocreamer;▪ Gatorade ®Do not take these medicines the day of the procedure:▪ nifedipine (Procardia ® )▪ diltiazem (Cardizem ® )▪ verapamil (Calan ® )▪ nitrate medicine (nitroglycerin, isosorbide,Isordil ® )▪ tegasarod maleate (Zelnorm ® )▪ erythromycin▪ metoclopramide hydrochloride(Reglan ® )Call the Digestive Health Center (608) 890-5000 if you have questions regardingyour medicines.Follow the arrival and registration instructions in your cover letter. If you aredelayed, call us at (608) 890-5000 to let us know you are going to be late. If youare over 30 minutes late, we may have to cancel and reschedule. We do our best tostay on time.After the ProcedureYour doctor will talk over the results with you before you leave. You may returnto your normal eating pattern and activity when you are done with the test.

How to Contact UsDigestive Health Center, 8am to 5pm weekdays, (608) 890-5000.After clinic hours, please call (608) 890-5000. Give your name and phone numberwith the area code. The doctor will call you back.If you live outside of the Madison area, please call 1-855-342-9900.UW Health Digestive Health Center750 University RowMadison, WI(608) 890-5000(855) 342-9900University of Wisconsin Hospital & ClinicsGI Procedure Clinic600 Highland AvenueMadison, WI(608) 263-8097(800) 323-8942Meriter Hospital Digestive Health CenterLower Level202 S. Park StreetMadison, WI(608) 417-6389Spanish Version #7376Copyright © 4/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, Madison, WI, All Rights Reserved.Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#4370.