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ObjectiveTo determine whether the denervated stomach as an esophageal substitute recovers normal intraluminal acidity with time. Summary Background DataBilateral truncal vagotomy to the stomach as an esophageal substitute reduces both gastric acid production and antral motility, but a spontaneous motor recovery process takes place over years. MethodsIntraluminal gastric pH and bile were monitored during a 24-hour period 1 to 195 months after transthoracic elevation of the stomach as esophageal replacement in 91 and 76 patients, respectively. Nine patients underwent a second gastric pH monitoring after a 3-year period. The percentages of time that the gastric pH was less than 2 and bile absorbance exceeded 0.25 were calculated in reference to values from 25 healthy volunteers. Eighty-nine upper gastrointestinal endoscopies were performed in 83 patients. Patients were divided into three groups depending on length of follow-up: group 1, less than 1 year; group 2, 1 to 3 years; group 3, more than 3 years.

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