[Cardia function after proximal-gastric vagotomy (author's transl)].

In 36 patients with chronic duodenal ulcer disease LES-function before and after proximal-gastric vagotomy was examined manometrically and by determining pH-values in a prospective study. In addition, esophagus biopsies were taken 5 cm proximal of the cardia. 12 healthy volunteers served as controls. A direct effect of proximal-gastric vagotomy on LES-function could not be shown. On the contrary, in 38,9% of the patients examined, preoperatively proven esophagitis disappears nearly completely 12 months following proximal gastric vagotomy. This positive effect of vagotomy is to be interpreted as a beneficial effect on regurgitated intestinal juice, more so than an effect on cardia function itself.