Parietal cell vagotomy facilitates fundoplication in the treatment of reflux esophagitis.

The technique of parietal cell vagotomy is recommended as an adjuvant procedure to be used with fundoplication operations for the treatment of reflux esophagitis. There are three reasons for recommending this procedure: it permits the performance of fundoplication with greater facility and precision; it insures the preservation of the hepatic branches of the vagus nerve, and it reduces acid secretion. These advantages can be achieved without causing the untoward effects of dumping and diarrhea that occur with truncal vagotomy and pyloroplasty.