Center for Motility and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Esophageal manometry

An esophageal manometry is a procedure in which a small flexible tube is placed into the nose and passed into the esophagus (food pipe). It is a procedure to assess how well your child's esophagus is working by measuring the pressure and coordination of the esophageal muscles.

Why is it necessary?
An esophageal manometry is necessary to find the cause of your child's symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing, chest pain or gastroesophageal reflux.

How should I prepare my child?
Your child must have an empty stomach for the procedure. A member of the GI (gastroenterology) or endoscopy staff will tell you how long before the procedure your child must stop eating and drinking.

You may have to stop giving your child's GI medications for up to 48 hours before the procedure. A member of the GI program will call you to discuss specific preparation instructions for your child. They will be able to answer any questions. Your child will need to remain still during the procedure. If you feel your child may have difficulty cooperating with the test, please let us know. Some children may require medication to make them relaxed.

The tube may cause your child to feel some pressure and discomfort as it passes through the nose. Your child may cough, sneeze or gag as the tube is passed. Be open and honest with your child about the procedure. Explain in simple terms why it is needed and what will happen. To help comfort your child, tell him or her that he or she may bring a favorite toy, blanket, music tape or CD and that you will stay with him or her during the test.

Please do not bring other children to the procedure. If you must bring other children, please bring another adult with you to care for them.

What happens before the test?
This test is usually done in the Endoscopy Unit on Farley 3. If you park your car at the Children's Hospital garage, bring your parking ticket with you and have it stamped in the Main Lobby. When you arrive, follow the signs to the Farley/Pavilion elevators. Take the Farley/Pavilion elevators to the 3rd floor. Follow the signs for the Endoscopy Unit.

When you arrive at the Endoscopy Unit, you will meet with a nurse, who will explain the procedure and answer your questions. If your child needs medicine to make him or her relaxed, you will be asked to sign the consent form. You must be your child's legal guardian to sign the consent form.

What happens during the test?

• Your child will need to sit upright on the bed for the procedure.
• If your child is given medicine to make him or her relaxed for the procedure he or she will wear a heart and oxygen monitor.
• Depending on your child's age, he or she may be given a numbing medicine inside his or her nose.
• A flexible tube will be inserted into the nose and passed into the esophagus. The tube is attached to a computer that measures the pressure and coordination of the esophageal muscles.
• During the procedure, your child will be given sips of water.
• The tube will be slowly withdrawn from the esophagus. our child will be asked to swallow sips of water and measurements will be taken at each level of the esophagus.
• The procedure usually takes 30 minutes.

What happens after the test?
If your child did not receive sedation (medicine to cause relaxation) for the test, he or she may go home when the test is over. The nurse will review all instructions with you before you leave.

If your child did receive sedation, the nurse will move him or her to the Recovery Area. You will be directed to the Family Waiting Area. From there, a nurse will bring you to the Recovery Area to be with your child. We ask that you do not bring siblings or other young children into the Recovery Area. Children may wait with another adult in the Family Waiting Area.

In the Recovery Area, the nurse will stay with your child and carefully observe him or her during the entire recovery time. When your child is fully awake, he or she may have clear liquids to drink. Generally, children are able to go home about one hour after the test is done. The recovery room nurse will review all instructions with you before you leave.

Patients who receive sedation must have a responsible adult with them when they leave the hospital. Since your child may still be sleepy or unsteady, please arrange to have private transportation to go home. Do not plan to take a bus or the MBTA. If a ride has not been arranged, the procedure may be canceled. How will we be informed of the results? Your child's doctor will speak with you as soon as the procedure is done.

When to call your child's doctor or nurse
If you have any questions about the procedure, call the GI/Endoscopy Unit at 617-355-6172 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Ask to speak to one of the nurses. For emergencies, you can call a GI doctor 24 hours a day. Call the hospital page operator at 617-355-6369 and ask for the GI fellow on call.