Gastroplasty in patients with symptoms of reflux esophagitis

Forty-one patients underwent gastroplasty by the technique of Gomez and had at least one year of follow-up study. Fifteen patients had symptoms of reflux esophagitis preoperatively. At present, only two have symptoms of reflux esophagitis and both were free of symptoms until reversal of the gastroplasty. pH studies of the proximal pouch were performed preoperatively and postoperatively in 14 patients. There was a significant increase in proximal pouch pH after gastroplasty. Following gastroplasty, there is an immediate decrease in acid reflux and symptom reduction is observed to least at least one year. Patients with reflux esophagitis should not necessarily be excluded from consideration for gastroplasty.