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Oesophageal Manometry

Oesophageal manometry is a test that measures the pressure and muscle contractions (motility) in your oesophagus (gullet).

About the Procedure The Examination Before & After Find A Specialist

What is a oesophageal manometry?

Oesophageal manometry helps your specialist understand how well the muscles of your oesophagus and lower oesophageal sphincter (the valve between your oesophagus and stomach) are working.

Why is oesophageal manometry performed?

Oesophageal manometry can be a useful test for people with symptoms such as:

difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
chest pain not related to the heart
regurgitation or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
suspected motility disorders, such as achalasia

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The Examination

Oesophageal manometry uses a thin, flexible tube called a manometry catheter.

This tube contains pressure sensors that measure the strength and coordination of the oesophageal muscles as you swallow.

You will be able to breathe, swallow, and talk throughout the procedure.

The entire appointment usually lasts about 30–45 minutes.

Step 1

You will be seated in a comfortable chair, and the procedure is completed by specialist nurses at Intus.

Step 2

The manometry catheter is gently passed through your nose and down into your oesophagus. This may feel slightly uncomfortable but is generally well tolerated.

Step 3

Once the catheter is in place, you will be asked to swallow small sips of water at intervals.

The sensors on the catheter record how the muscles of your oesophagus contract and relax with each swallow. This part of the test usually takes about 10–15 minutes.

After the test, the catheter is removed.

Before & After Your Procedure

What to know before your procedure and how to support your recovery.

Our team of specialists and nurses are experienced at conducting oesophageal manometry. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the test and whether it may be right for you.

Preparing for Oesophageal Manometry

After Oesophageal Manometry

Find A Specialist

View All Staff

Dr Thomas Herregods

Gastroenterologist

Thomas is a general gastroenterologist and hepatologist with an interest in upper and lower GI endoscopy, bowel screening, high-resolution manometry and 24-hour pH-impedance monitoring.

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Dr Deborah Wright

General & Colorectal Surgeon

Deborah Wright is a General and Colorectal Surgeon in Dunedin. Deborah studied in the UK, before moving to New Zealand in 2003 where she completed her surgical training, a PhD in bowel cancer, and subspecialty training in Auckland and the UK.

Deborah joined Intus in 2020 and has been the driving force behind the development of Intus in Dunedin, bringing specialist care closer to the community.

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Dr Ian Bradford

General & Colorectal Surgeon

Dr. Ian Bradford trained and worked as a Colorectal and General Surgeon in the UK before joining Intus in 2018. He has blended his extensive and high-quality international experience with local Australasian trends in surgical care. Appointments with Ian are available in Christchurch and Queenstown.

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Dr Richard Perry

General & Colorectal Surgeon

Richard Perry is a highly experienced General and Colorectal Surgeon, providing specialist clinics in Christchurch, Queenstown, and Wanaka.

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Dr Thomas Caspritz

Gastroenterologist

Dr. Thomas Caspritz is an experienced Gastroenterologist and Internist at Intus Specialist Health Care in Christchurch. He also works at Timaru Public Hospital and in private practice in Timaru.

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Dr Alison Ross

Gastroenterologist

Alison Ross is a gastroenterologist with a specialised interest in disorders of brain gut interaction, inflammatory bowel disease, hepatology, and endoscopic surgery. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Otago and became a Fellow of the Royal Australiasian College of Physicians in 1997.

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A/Prof Craig Lynch

General & Colorectal Surgeon

Craig has been part of Intus since its inception and is proud to have returned to offer his expertise. He currently runs regular clinics in both Christchurch and Queenstown, where he is committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to his patients.

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Dr James Haddow

General & Colorectal Surgeon

James graduated from Imperial College London, UK in 2003 with a distinction in surgery and the Faculty of Medicine Prize. During his specialist training in the UK he also undertook a fellowship in Clinical Leadership and two years of full-time clinical research to complete a degree in perianal fistula disease. After qualifying, James gained further experience in advanced colorectal surgery techniques in Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital, UK and then Christchurch Hospital, NZ.

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Dr Kyle Hendry

Gastroenterologist

Kyle is a general gastroenterologist and hepatologist with an interest in interventional endoscopy and bowel screening. Originally from the United Kingdom, Kyle completed his medical training in both the UK and New Zealand, before finishing his fellowship in Interventional Endoscopy in Waitemata, Auckland.

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Dr Reina Lim

Hepatologist

Reina is a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist in Dunedin. She trained in the United Kingdom, graduating in 2003 before going on to complete her advanced fellowship training in transplant and general hepatology.

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Dr Nigel S. Rajaretnam

Upper GI & Endocrine Surgeons

Dr. Rajaretnam is away on a Sabbatical at Austin Health in Melbourne, returning early 2026.

Dr Nigel Rajaretnam is a specialist Upper Gastrointestinal, Bariatric, Endocrine and General Surgeon with a broad range of expertise in minimally invasive surgery. He has completing multiple prestigious fellowships in Upper GI surgery, Bariatric surgery, Endocrine surgery, and Advanced endoscopy

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Dr James Wilkins

Oesophago-gastric Surgeon

James Wilkins is a General and Oesophago-gastric Surgeon in Dunedin. James was raised in Dunedin and graduated from the University of Otago. He went on to complete surgical training in New Zealand before sub-specialty fellowships in Dunedin, Auckland and the UK. James was delighted to bring this expert knowledge home when he came back to Dunedin with his family in 2024.

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Oesophageal Manometry

The Examination

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Before & After Your Procedure

Find A Specialist

Dr Thomas Herregods

Dr Deborah Wright

Dr Ian Bradford

Dr Richard Perry

Dr Thomas Caspritz

Dr Alison Ross

A/Prof Craig Lynch

Dr James Haddow

Dr Kyle Hendry

Dr Reina Lim

Dr Nigel S. Rajaretnam

Dr James Wilkins