Well the second attempt at dilation failed. Gastro Dr. said It appears I have a complete esophageal occlusion or stricture. He could not get his scope to see any lumen (opening). There isn't anything more he could do so they sent me to a large hospital about 80 miles away. The Dr I'm seeing is an ENT who does all the complicated head and neck surgeries including open flap in Eastern NC. He proposed a three step process. (1) Another endoscopy but this time with a rigid endoscope. If he can get thru he will dilate, (2)Two Dr's will attempt getting thru the stricture. An ENT from the top (ante)and a gastro Dr from the gastro side (retro). They will use my PEG tube site to enter the esophagus from the stomach. When the meet in the middle, they will use barium or fluroscopy (sp?) to determine how thick and long the stricture it. If it is thin they will pierce it with a needle and poke a wire thru and then use wire guided dilation to open up the stricture (3) If (1) and (2) fail I will be looking at complex reconstructive surgery of the esophagus. It is risky and the outcomes not altogether predictable. Hopefully we don't get to (3). I have not swallowed since September 2012.

Note to moderator; If this needs to be moved to that board that includes swallowing difficulties, I'm ok with that.

Although it's early, I'd like to know more about this option (3). Is esophageal resection done with open surgery or is laproscopy an option. What institutions specialize in this surgery.

Thanks to all,

Mr Mike