Esophageal manometry

You must be sober before the investigation. Important medications that you need to take daily may be taken with a little water. Talk to your doctor about whether you need to adjust or stop any medications before esophageal manometry.

Medications that are best interrupted:

• Nifedipine: Adalate
• Diltiazem: Tildiem®
• Nitrates: Coruno®, Cedocard®, Nitroderm®... Unless this medication can/should not be stopped due to heart problems.
• Prucalopride: Resolor®
• Pyridostigmine: Mestinon®
• Buspirone: Buspar®
• Clebopride: Cleboril®
• Morphine and its derived products

During the examination, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into the stomach after anaesthesia from the inside of the nose.

• The catheter measures pressure in different parts of the esophagus as you make swallowing movements. You will be asked several times to swallow or drink water.
• You can keep breathing through your mouth or nose at any time.
• Once the examination is complete, the catheter will be removed.
• The examination usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

Esophageal manometry is generally a safe procedure. However, there may be some potential risks and discomforts, including temporary swallowing problems, nasal or sore throat, minor bleeding, or infections. These complications are rare.