Pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux.

Reflux esophagitis was first described 50 years ago, and understanding of abnormal gastroesophageal reflux, its complications, and treatment have been recent additions to medical and surgical knowledge. The process by which this information has been acquired, current techniques for measuring abnormal reflux and its complications, mechanisms by which reflux is controlled normally and after antireflux surgery, and the relationship between hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux are the subjects of this presentation.