A marked guide wire facilitates esophageal dilatation.

Esophageal dilatation by endoscopists is a commonly performed procedure. The introduction of tapered polyvinyl dilators by Savary has made the procedure even more popular. In the United States, esophageal dilatation with guide wires has been traditionally performed with fluoroscopy. By using a marked guide wire and by adhering to specific safety guidelines, the passage of the guide wire can be precise, even without fluoroscopy, and radiographic definition is not always required. This study describes the new guide wire and the technique.