Gastric emptying in children with gastroesophageal reflux. I. An estimate of effective gastric emptying

The association of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and gastric emptying has been observed, but its importance is poorly understood. We compared 18- to 24-hour esophageal pH recordings with gastric emptying of radionuclide in apple juice in 109 children (2 weeks to 16 years old) referred for an evaluation of GER. A pH score and the pattern of GER (type I, II, and III) were obtained by esophageal pH monitoring. Gastric emptying was measured at 30 minutes (%GE30) and at 60 minutes (%GE60). The measured gastric emptying of apple juice was similar for the normal child and for those with GER regardless of pattern type. An inverse linear correlation between postcibal reflex and measured gastric emptying was demonstrated only by the eight asymptomatic children with a normal pH score (%GE30, r = -.9603, P less than .001; and %GE60, r = -.8263, P less than .05). If the contribution of postcibal reflux on gastric emptying was eliminated, then the effective gastric emptying was increased in many children with the type I (44%, P less than .05), type II (46%, P less than .05), or type III (60%, P less than .05) pattern of GER as compared with children with a normal reflux pattern (7%). In conclusion, measured gastric emptying of clear liquids is not necessarily decreased in most children with GER. Furthermore, many children with GER demonstrate an increased effective gastric emptying even though measured gastric emptying may not appear increased.     

Gastric emptying in children with gastroesophageal reflux. II. The relationship to retching symptoms following antireflux surgery

Following antireflux surgery, children with persistent retching symptoms are presumably more likely to have delayed gastric emptying. We report 66 children between 2 weeks and 16 years of age who had an operation to control gastroesophageal reflux (GER). All patients had GER confirmed by 18- to 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring. Preoperative gastric emptying studies were performed in each patient with 99m-Tc sulfur colloid in apple juice. In addition to the percent gastric emptying (%GE), an effective gastric emptying was estimated by correcting the %GE for postcibal reflux (corrected %GE). Repeat 18- to 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring was performed postoperatively in all patients, and a repeat gastric emptying study was performed in 32 patients. After an average postoperative follow up of 6 months (range of 1 to 18 months), persistent retching was present in 12 (18%) patients. The retching was associated with dumping symptoms in six patients. Retching was seen in patients with a preoperative increase in effective gastric emptying (10/34, 29%, P less than .05) or a decrease in effective gastric emptying (2/15, 13%, NS), and not in patients with an effective gastric emptying within the control range (0/17, 0%). Postoperatively, retching with dumping symptoms was associated with an increased effective gastric emptying, and retching without dumping symptoms with a decreased effective gastric emptying. In conclusion, persistent retching followed anti-reflux surgery in children is related to extremes in effective gastric emptying. The preoperative measurement of corrected %GE identifies children at increased risk for this postoperative problem.     

Gastric motility disorders in patients operated on for esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula: long-term evaluation

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Disturbed peristalsis is reported frequently after successful repair of esophageal atresia (EA). Delayed gastric emptying could be considered a cause of symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients with repaired EA. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the incidence of and to characterize gastric motility disorders in a long-term follow-up of patients operated on for EA-tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) by studying gastric emptying with scintigraphic techniques and comparing the results with gastric manometric data. METHODS: Eleven patients, between 12 and 23 years of age (median, 17) operated on for EA-TEF between 1975 and 1985, were studied. The scinthigraphic study was undertaken using a standard solid meal. The manometric study was performed using a 2.3-mm probe with 3 solid-state transducers. RESULTS: Dysphagia was present in about 20% of patients. Dyspepsia was recorded in 40% of the patients. A pathological reflux was present in 2 patients. Delayed gastric emptying (T1/2 > 90') was present in 4 patients (36%). Manometric data showed alteration of gastric peristaltic activity in 5 patients (45%). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed gastric emptying is frequent in long-term follow-up of patients operated on for EA-TEF. In these patients antral hypomotility also is recorded manometrically. Abnormal gastric motility can be considered as an important factor predisposing to symptoms of GER. A thorough evaluation of gastric function is recommended in symptomatic patients after EA repair.     

Gastric antroplasty for the treatment of delayed gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux in children.

Operative correction of symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was undertaken in 530 children during a 21-year period. Gastroesophageal fundoplication (GEF) alone was performed in 415 children; 83 had simultaneous GEF and pyloroplasty; 13 had pyloroplasty alone; and 19 had GEF with later pyloroplasty. Of the last 355 children with reflux, 110 (31%) had pyloroplasty. Pyloroplasty was performed for persistent symptoms despite medical therapy when more than 60% of the isotope meal was retained in the stomach at 90 minutes. Children with central nervous system disorders and GER often had delayed gastric emptying (DGE). A modified Heineke-Mikulicz pyloroplasty was used for the first 59 children; the last 56 patients had a more simplified antroplasty with a 2.5- to 3.5-cm vertical incision through the antral muscularis down to the duodenum without mucosal incision; the muscularis was reapproximated in a transverse direction with sutures. With a mean follow-up of 5.8 years, only three patients experienced mild transient dumping. None had pyloroplasty leak or clinical evidence of alkaline reflux. Antroplasty is a helpful, simple adjunct to GEF with low morbidity in children with GER and DGE.     

Operative treatment for the gastroesophageal reflux syndrome in children

Surgical treatment for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux (GER) was performed on 420 infants and children over a 19-year period. Esophageal motility disorders were present in more than 35% of patients and delayed gastric emptying (DGE) was present in approximately 50% of patients studied. Gastroesophageal fundoplication (GEF) alone was performed for 357 patients, whereas 51 patients underwent GEF and pyloroplasty; 12 patients underwent pyloroplasty alone. When there is more than 60% gastric retention of technetium-99m sulphur colloid in semisolid feedings at 90 minutes, pyloroplasty appears to be useful. Twenty-two percent of the last 275 refluxing children underwent pyloroplasty combined with GEF. Most infants and young children undergoing evaluation for severe GER, particularly those with neurologic disorders, may benefit from having a gastric emptying study. Children with severe reflux and esophageal dysmotility should have a loose GEF performed. The absence of persistent dumping, and the very low incidence of complications suggests that pyloroplasty should be used more frequently when significant DGE is present.     

Gastroesophageal reflux following percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children

The frequency and clinical significance of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in patients after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) was determined. Ten children, aged 11 months to 15 years, who had normal preoperative extended esophageal pH monitoring were restudied after PEG. Of the ten patients, six developed GER with a pH score significantly higher than their initial one (40.5 +/- 3.3 pre-PEG v 129.5 +/- 24.2 post-PEG, P less than .005). Similarly, the mean post-PEG pH score was higher in patients with GER than in those without a change in score (129.5 +/- 24.2 v 33.8 +/- 2.8, P less than .005). None of these patients was symptomatic for GER immediately after the PEG, but within 10 months of surgery, three of six (50%) developed reflux-related symptoms. These data indicate that clinically significant GER is associated with PEG.     

Assessment of gastric motility using meal labeled with technetium-99m sulfur colloid

During a 2 year period, 83 patients with gastric motility problems were evaluated using radionuclide imaging. The patients presented with epigastric distress, postprandial fullness, pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea; signs and symptoms suggestive of either gastroparesis or gastric outlet obstruction. Upper gastrointestinal series or endoscopy, or both, demonstrated no mechanical obstruction. After oral administration of a 300 g meal labeled with 600 muCi of technetium-99m sulfur colloid, a gastric emptying study consisting of serial images and data acquisition was performed. Of the patients studied, 52 had had peptic ulcer surgery, 17 were suspected of having gastroesophageal reflux, 8 were diabetic and suspected of having visceral enteropathy, and 6 had a history of irritable bowel syndrome. The normal mean gastric half emptying time was 77 +/- 16 minutes. Of the patients who had had gastric surgery, 90.4 percent had abnormal emptying: 69.2 percent had delayed gastric emptying and 21.2 percent had rapid gastric emptying time; 9.6 percent had normal emptying time. Of the gastroesophageal reflux group, all but two had normal gastric emptying time; 65 percent demonstrated gastroesophageal reflux within 15 minutes. Two of the patients with irritable bowel syndrome had prolonged emptying; the rest had normal emptying. All diabetic patients with gastroparesis had prolonged gastric emptying time, and all responded favorably to metoclopramide. Of the patients who previously had peptic ulcer surgery and had prolonged emptying time, 72 percent also responded favorably to metoclopramide. We conclude that radionuclide gastric imaging is a useful diagnostic test for the measurement of gastric emptying in patients with a variety of gastrointestinal motility disorders and may be helpful in assessing medical therapy and selecting those who may be candidates for surgery.     

小儿胃食管返流的诊断和治疗

总结33例小儿胃食管返流的诊治经验。并对胃食管返流的概念,与胃食管返流有关的解剖生理因素、诊断方法、手术治疗中的术式选择及要点,提出了讨论、评价及介绍。推荐了诊断上应行多项综合性检查,特别是动态性的钡餐造影观察来确定。手术29例。效果好。     

Surgical treatment of the gastroesophageal reflux syndrome in infants and children

During an 18 year period, 352 infants and children under 18 years of age underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Delayed gastric emptying was present in more than 50 percent as evidenced by more than 50 percent retention of technetium-99m sulfur colloid in semisolid feedings at 90 minutes. Esophageal motility disorders occurred in over 35 percent of the patients with symptomatic reflux, militating against performing a tight antireflux operation. Of 352 patients who had operation for symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux, 308 underwent gastroesophageal fundoplication alone, 26 underwent gastroesophageal fundoplication and pyloroplasty, 12 had pyloroplasty alone, and 6 had gastroesophageal fundoplication followed by pyloroplasty as a second operation because of residual delay in gastric emptying. An abnormal result of esophageal pH monitoring and decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure with normal gastric emptying suggest use of the gastroesophageal fundoplication alone. Delay in gastric emptying combined with decreased lower esophageal sphincter pressure and abnormal results of esophageal pH monitoring indicate the use of gastroesophageal fundoplication plus pyloroplasty. A mildly abnormal esophageal pH value in combination with a high-normal lower esophageal sphincter pressure and marked delay in gastric emptying (over 60 percent retention at 90 minutes) suggest the use of pyloroplasty alone. The excellent clinical results achieved with gastroesophageal fundoplication, with or without pyloroplasty, and the low morbidity and mortality rates indicate that these procedures should be used early in the management of infants and children with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux syndrome.     

Abnormal preoperative and postoperative esophageal peristalsis in gastroesophageal reflux

Extended 24-hour pH monitoring and esophageal manometry before and 6 months after Nissen fundoplication in a group of 14 children with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux (GER), of whom 12 had esophagitis, have shown that all patients were clinically cured and their initially abnormal pH-monitoring parameters significantly decreased to normal values after operation. Whereas lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) was not modified by surgery, lower esophageal sphincter length (LESL) was significantly increased. The percentage of tertiary, nonpropulsive esophageal waves, that was very high in basal conditions (74.9 +/- 34.5%) and following instillation of acid into the esophagus (79.8 +/- 20.2%) remained high (58 +/- 23.2% and 72.1 +/- 18.2% respectively) several months postoperatively. The persistence of abnormal peristalsis after surgical cure of GER suggests that severe symptoms in this group of patients resulted from the simultaneous failure of both components of the antireflux mechanism (LES and esophageal peristaltic "pump"), which led to increased acid exposure. The good results of surgical establishment of an effective valve-like barrier alone illustrate the possibility of compensation by only one of the components when the other fails. According to this interpretation, whereas patients with good peristalsis would tolerate GER fairly well, those with GER and bad peristalsis would have increased acid exposure and, consequently, esophageal damage.     

Gastric emptying in children with gastroesophageal reflux and in healthy children

Purpose

The aim of this report is to examine whether children with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) have delayed gastric emptying compared to healthy children.

Methods

All patients had GER verified by 24-hour pH monitoring. Gastric emptying of cow’s milk was examined by radionuclide scintigraphy in 51 patients with GER and in 24 controls. Gastric emptying rate was expressed as exponential half time (T_1/2).

Results

Median age was 4.4 years [range 0.1–15.4] in patients and 6.1 years [range 2.5–10.0] in controls (p = .10). A wide range of gastric emptying rates was observed both in GER patients [range 16–121] and controls [range 29–94]. One GER patient (2%) had slower gastric emptying (T_1/2 = 121 min) than the healthy child with the longest T_1/2 (94 min). Mean T_1/2 was 49 minutes (SD 20.1) and 46 minutes (SD 14.2) in GER patients and controls, respectively (p = .51).

Conclusions

Gastric emptying rate of milk was not significantly different between children with GER and healthy children. A wide range of gastric emptying rates was observed in both groups.     

Increased incidence of delayed gastric emptying in children with gastroesophageal reflux. A prospective evaluation

Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux is a common cause of failure to thrive, aspiration, and chronic pulmonary infection in infants. Gastric emptying was prospectively evaluated in 99 infants and children with symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Twenty-eight (28.2%) of 99 patients with gastroesophageal reflux had delayed gastric emptying. Twenty-one (75%) of the 28 patients underwent a concomitant gastric drainage procedure at the time of fundoplication. Seven had fundoplication alone and developed symptoms of early satiety, gas bloat, gagging, and pain postoperatively. Medical therapy was ineffective in these patients, and 5 improved after pyloroplasty. Delayed gastric emptying is common in patients with gastroesophageal reflux. These findings suggest that after fundoplication, symptoms of gagging, early satiety, and gas-bloat syndrome may be related to delayed gastric emptying. This implies that a gastric emptying study should be performed preoperatively.     

Acute food bolus impaction without stricture in children with gastroesophageal reflux

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This report identifies a group of children in whom severe acute food bolus impaction (AFBI) was the leading symptom of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in the absence of stricture. METHODS: The esophageal structure and function of 8 patients treated for AFBI requiring endoscopic removal of alimentary foreign bodies in 6 of them (up to 4 times in 1 case) were investigated by barium meal, esophagoscopy-biopsy, pH-metering, pull-through stationary manometry, and 24-hour ambulatory manometry. The results were compared with those in a group of age-matched regular refluxers (n = 14) without AFBI. RESULTS: Six boys and 2 girls aged 108 +/- 59 months had impaction. Six children had symptoms of GER like vomiting during infancy, heartburn, or respiratory tract disease. Barium swallow ruled out stenosis in all patients and showed small hiatal hernias in 3. All had endoscopic and histologic esophagitis (moderate to severe in 6), and one had Schatzki ring. All but one (who had 8.45 mm Hg) had normal lower esophageal sphincter pressure (16.2 +/- 4.7 mm Hg, mean +/- SD), and all showed normal sphincteric relaxation. Esophageal body motility was not significantly different from that in regular refluxers except in 6 children in whom energetic distal peristalsis after reflux episodes could be seen particularly during the night. Three of them had amazingly powerful distal waves during the day and even stronger, simultaneous, wide and bizarre-shaped waves during sleep. Symptoms improved in all cases after antireflux medication. Four patients were cured after antireflux surgery. CONCLUSIONS: AFBI is a dramatic but practically unheard of symptom of GER in children. It should be differentiated from dysphagia and reveals motor dysfunction, sometimes severe, of the esophageal body in the absence of sphincteric obstruction. Antireflux medication or surgery were uniformly successful in our patients.     

Predicting preoperatively the outcome of respiratory symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux.

The fact that bronchopulmonary symptoms remain unchanged in about 15% of patients after successful operation for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) with respiratory tract disease (RTD) makes surgical indications uncertain and warrants further research into preoperative prognostic predictors. This problem has been addressed in infants by demonstrating that those most likely to be cured by antireflux procedures have long nocturnal episodes of GER and/or temporal coincidence between drops in pH levels and respiratory episodes. In an attempt to validate these predictors and, at the same time, to search for other reliable ones, we have retrospectively studied the charts, manometric studies, pH tracings, and pathology reports of 55 patients aged 48 +/- 36 months (range, 2 to 170) who had Nissen funduplication for GER with RTD in the last 10 years. Forty-five children were cured or improved of their RTD symptoms after operation, but in 10 (18%) they were unchanged in spite of the control of GER. Patients with a former history of vomiting (n = 38) had better results than those (n = 17) without it (95% of RTD cure v 53%, P less than .001). The success rate in children with recurrent obstructive airway disease (n = 20) was definitely lower than in those without it (n = 35) (70% v 89%, P less than .05). Neither esophageal manometry nor mucosal biopsy provided any predictive clue, but pH studies confirmed that the mean duration of nocturnal episodes of reflux (ZMD) was definitely longer in patients responding favourably to surgical cure of GER than in those in whom this failed (12.2 +/- 9.6 v 3.9 +/- 2.8 minutes, P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Management of gastroesophageal reflux associated with malrotation in children

Aim

Children being investigated for gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) have a high incidence of malrotation. Current literature suggests these patients should be managed with a combined antireflux and Ladd's procedure. We review our experience, the largest series to date, of performing an elective Ladd's procedure as the first-line intervention.

Method

Retrospective case note review of 20 children with significant symptoms of GOR and an incidental finding of malrotation. Children presenting immediately with bilious vomiting were excluded. All patients underwent a Ladd's procedure as their sole primary operative intervention.

Results

Median age at operation was 7 months (21 days-12 years). Fifteen patients (75%) had evidence of reflux on barium contrast study. All children were followed up for at least 6 months. Eighteen (90%) had resolution or significant improvement of their symptoms postsurgery. Only 3 have not managed to tolerate a full oral diet, all unrelated to GOR. None of our series required an antireflux procedure.

Conclusion

In children with debilitating vomiting necessitating surgical management, a contrast study is imperative in the work up. The high incidence of GOR and the significant improvement after correction of malrotation show the relationship between delayed gastric emptying and GOR. We suggest that when an abnormally placed duodenojejunal flexure is found, a Ladd's procedure alone is sufficient and may obviate the need for a more invasive antireflux procedure.     

Surgery for gastroesophageal reflux in children with normal pH studies

Esophageal pH monitoring is recognized as the best diagnostic procedure for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and operation is seldom recommended in the absence of abnormal pH data. To emphasize that operation should not be ruled out for children who may have false-negative pH studies, we report 14 patients operated on for GER in spite of normal pH-monitoring. The mean age was 54 months (range, 18 to 90). Clinical features included vomiting, dysphagia, respiratory disease, anemia, and torticollis. All had radiologic evidence of GER, and 10 had endoscopic and histological esophagitis. Conventional pH-monitoring values were normal but lower esophageal sphincter pressure and propulsive peristalsis were significantly decreased whereas nonpropulsive contractions were predominant. Operation was recommended after an average of 24 months of unsuccessful medical treatment. Independent postoperative assessment showed that 13 of the 14 patients were relieved of their symptoms and dysphagia persists in one. We suggest that the diagnosis of GER should be accepted on the basis of sound clinical judgement plus more than one abnormal test even when pH results are normal. Operation should not be withheld when clinically indicated. There are several explanations for false-negative pH studies, of which alkaline reflux is probably the most important and warrants further investigation in children.     

Esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring in the diagnosis of pulmonary aspiration secondary to gastroesophageal reflux.

Twenty-three consecutive patients who had persistent respiratory symptoms of unexplained etiology were evaluated to determine the presence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and its relationship to their respiratory complaints. Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressures and the characteristics of the peristaltic waves in the proximal and distal esophagus were determined. Esophageal acid exposure 5 cm and 20 cm above the LES was measured using a pH probe with two antimony sensors. Aspiration was diagnosed when respiratory symptoms occurred during or within 3 minutes after a reflux episode, recorded at both levels of the esophagus. Based on these criteria, 12 patients were considered nonaspirators (group A), and 11 were categorized as aspirators (group B). Aspirators had: (1) lower LES pressure (6.1 +/- 3.1 versus 12 +/- 4.8 mm Hg, p less than 0.01); (2) decreased amplitude of peristalsis in the proximal esophagus (34 +/- 16 versus 59 +/- 21 mm Hg, p less than 0.01) and distal esophagus (46 +/- 25 versus 91 +/- 28 mm Hg, p less than 0.01), and higher incidence of simultaneous, nonperistaltic waves (30% versus 4%); and (3) lower UES pressure (44 +/- 23 versus 74 +/- 38 mm Hg). Impaired peristalsis in aspirators caused a higher acid exposure (11.4% +/- 8.0% versus 1.0% +/- 0.7% of time pH less than 4, p less than 0.01) and delayed clearance (5.5 +/- 6.5 versus 0.7 +/- 0.4 min) in the proximal esophagus. Our study shows that, in patients with respiratory symptoms of unexplained etiology, esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH monitoring will identify a subgroup of true aspirators. These patients suffer from a panesophageal motor dysfunction that affects all three barriers to aspiration: the LES, the esophageal "pump mechanism," and the UES.     

Is there an association between failed antireflux procedures and delayed gastric emptying?

Recurrence of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms following antireflux surgery is a difficult clinical problem. Sixteen patients (6 men, 10 women; median age 59; range 33-75 years) with a positive endoscopy or pH-probe-assessed acid reflux and recurrence of reflux symptoms following a fundoplication underwent radionuclide solid and liquid gastric emptying studies. The median time between operation and gastric emptying study was 39 months (range 13-89 months). A control group of 21 patients (10 men, 11 women; median age 47; range 19-72 years) who had undergone a standard fundoplication was similarly studied 6 months following surgery. The per cent of solid remaining at 100 minutes in the stomach had a median value of 43% (range 5-89) in the control group. This was significantly less (p less than 0.0001) than in the failed operative group (median 66%, range 27-100). Similarly, the time taken for 50% of the liquid to leave the stomach had a median value of 13 minutes (range 8-27) in the control group; a value significantly less (p less than 0.01) than the failed operative group (median 18.5 min, range 2-60). It is not known whether the delayed emptying in the failed operative group is responsible for the failure of the antireflux surgery. However, delay in gastric emptying either before or after surgery may be of value in predicting patients likely to have poor outcomes.     

Surgical management of the gastroesophageal reflux syndrome in childhood

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common cause of repeated emesis, failure to thrive, repeated pulmonary infection, and asthma in infants and children. During a 14-year period 270 children underwent gastroesophageal fundoplication for symptomatic reflux. The 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring is the most accurate test available to verify the presence of GER and is also helpful in evaluating the results of fundoplication. Transabdominal fundoplication may be performed with a low risk of complications. The most frequent complication requiring reoperation is paraesophageal hiatus hernia (6/270 patients), which should be repaired in almost all instances when symptoms develop. Closure of the crura posterior to the esophagus greatly reduces the incidence of this problem. Esophageal motility disorders occur in more than 35% of patients with symptomatic reflux and militate against performing a tight antireflux operation. Approximately 50% of patients with symptomatic reflux have associated gastric motility disorders. Radionuclide studies with 99mTC sulfur colloid in semisolid feedings have determined the magnitude of gastric retention after a feeding and have been helpful in identifying children who require a pyloroplasty with or without fundoplication. Pyloroplasty is performed simultaneously with fundoplication in approximately 10% of patients with symptomatic reflux when the lower esophageal sphincter pressure is low and the esophageal pH monitor shows reflux. The excellent clinical results achieved by fundoplication with or without pyloroplasty and the low morbidity and mortality rates indicate that these procedures should be used early in the management of infants and children who suffer symptomatic GER.     

Gastric emptying and gastroesophageal reflux: Effects of surgery and correlation with esophageal motor function

A new method of measuring gastric emptying for solids was developed and validated. With this new method, gastric emptying of solids was evaluated in 40 patients with gastroesophageal reflux. Gastric emptying of solids was delayed in 42 percent of patients independent of the severity of the reflux symptoms. Liquids emptied in a normal fashion, supporting the observations of others that liquid emptying is not a valid measure of gastric emptying. A high incidence of esophageal motor abnormalities was present in these patients when tested with radionuclide transit studies using a liquid bolus. The coexistence of esophageal and gastric emptying abnormalities was present in 45 percent of patients who had delayed gastric emptying of solids. Three months after surgical correction of reflux as measured by pH study, abnormalities in both the esophagus and stomach remained unchanged. Since the symptoms were corrected, delayed gastric emptying is not adequate indication for a gastric emptying procedure at the time of antireflux surgery.