Transabdominal Vagectomy and Lower Esophageal Function

Abstract

It has been observed that dysphagia is an occasional complication of vagectomy. Ten patients undergoing transabdominal vagectomy as part of the surgical therapy for peptic ulcer disease were studied by means of esophageal manometry in order to determine what effect vagal denervation might have on the lower esophageal high pressure zone. (LHPZ). No significant changes in LHPZ occurred following vagectomy. It was concluded that no consistent adverse effects on the LHPZ are associated with transabdominal vagectomy, and that many variables, including alterations in pH in the sphincteric area and changes in circulating gastrin levels, may contribute to the changes observed in the LHPZ.