Prolonged ambulatory pH monitoring in patients following oesophageal transection and control subjects.

Abstract

Prolonged ambulatory oesophageal pH monitoring using a radiopill was carried out in 19 patients following oesophageal transection for varices. The results were compared with 14 asymptomatic control subjects. The duration of oesophageal pH less than five while erect was significantly greater in the post-transection group than in the control subjects. The duration of pH less than 4 while erect was also greater following transection but this did not quite reach statistical significance. The number of reflux episodes did not differ between the two groups. There was no significant difference in duration or number of reflux episodes while supine between the two groups.