EndoFlip and EsoFlip

What is EndoFlip?

For children who are having a problem with their esophagus or moving food through their gastrointestinal tract, receiving an accurate diagnosis can be one of the biggest challenges. One of our most powerful diagnostic tools is EndoFlip. This technology allows our care team to look at the stomach, esophagus, and other parts of the digestive tract without requiring x-rays or radiation. EndoFlip makes it much easier to diagnose and accurately characterize conditions such as esophageal stricture and achalasia.

Typically performed under anesthesia, EndoFlip involves inserting a catheter through the mouth to inflate a balloon. That balloon is equipped with sensors that allow our experts to measure the exact dimensions and pressure in the esophagus. This information is essential to diagnosing the patient’s condition and providing the best treatment plan available.

What is EsoFlip?

EsoFlip technology, another endoscopic tool, can be used for treatment as well as diagnosis because it allows doctors to dilate the esophagus. James Wall, MD, the director of the Stanford Medicine Children’s Health Esophageal Disorders Clinic, is leading the use of this exciting technology in children. EsoFlip can help with conditions like dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. It also allows us to minimize the patient’s exposure to radiation, an especially important consideration for children.