Esophageal Manometry - UW Health

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