BackgroundThe standard technique for reconstruction of the intestinal transit after total gastrectomy for gastric cancer is the Roux-en-Y anastomosis between the esophagus and ajejunal loop, which prevents the reflux of alkaline intestinal juice. The purpose of this study was to analyze the esophageal body motility and the motility of the proximal jejunal loop in patients subjected to total gastrectomy.Patients and methodsAprospective cohort of 17total gastrectomy patients, operated on 5years earlier, were studied using high-resolution esophageal manometry including the first 7cm of the jejunal loop.ResultsManometry results were similar for all patients, showing normal esophageal body motility, with the exception of the maximum intrabolus pressure that was elevated in all cases. The jejunal loop motility was disordered and ineffective.ConclusionEsophageal body motility was normal 5years after total gastrectomy. However, maximum mean intrabolus pressure was elevated in all patients. The most plausible reason for this finding would be the resistance exerted by the motility of the jejunal loop. Although this abnormality might not explain the mild symptoms presented by some patients, its pathological consequences are of little relevance.