Esophageal disorders affect the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach and can significantly impair swallowing and digestion. Common conditions include esophageal strictures, achalasia, hiatal hernia, severe GERD, and esophageal cancer. In the UAE, lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, and chronic acid reflux contribute to rising esophageal disease prevalence.

Symptoms may include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, heartburn, regurgitation, chronic cough, unexplained weight loss, or food sticking in the chest. These symptoms should not be ignored, as delayed diagnosis can lead to serious complications.

Diagnosis involves upper endoscopy, barium swallow studies, manometry, pH testing, and biopsy when needed. Early and accurate evaluation is essential for determining the appropriate treatment approach.

Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Benign strictures may be managed with endoscopic dilation, while surgical intervention is required for severe reflux, motility disorders, tumors, or large hiatal hernias. Procedures such as laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication or esophageal surgery are performed using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

At IMH, esophageal surgery focuses on restoring swallowing function, relieving symptoms, and preventing long-term complications, supported by multidisciplinary care and structured recovery protocols.