Abstract
Recording of intraluminal pressures and pH within the oesophagus and the stomach during different peritoneopleural pressure differences were traced in 10 healthy subjects and 285 patients with symptoms and/or signs of hiatus hernia. The material fell into largely 3 groups according to the degree of herniation. In 40 of the patients operated upon for hiatus hernia recordings were available pre- and postoperative. The data obtained and factors responsible for reflux are analysed. An equipment for maintaining a constant abdominal compression is described as well as its application in the demonstration of hiatus hernia and gastro-oesophageal reflux.