Gastroesophageal reflux is the main complaint after intrathoracic gastroplasty for carcinoma of the esophagus. Eighteen patients who underwent intrathoracic gastroplasty were studied by 24 hour pH monitoring. Two groups of patients were separately evaluated according to the surgical procedure performed--group 1, nine patients with tubulized stomach and gastroesophageal anastomosis at the apex of the thorax, and group 2, nine patients without tubulized stomach and with low gastroesophageal anastomosis. Gastroesophageal reflux and gastric function were analyzed. Gastroesophageal reflux was clinically present in 36 per cent of patients. During the 24 hour pH monitoring period, the percentage of time that the esophageal electrode showed a pH value of less than 4 was shorter for group 1 than for group 2 (13.3 +/- 11.3 versus 32.7 +/- 21.7), indicating less gastroesophageal reflux. Gastric secretion was also studied with 24 hour pH monitoring. Gastric secretion was reduced after gastroplasty, compared with a control group. Gastric secretion was identical between groups 1 and 2. Tubulization did not impair gastric secretion. Findings from this study show that good functional results can be achieved after intrathoracic gastroplasty if the anastomosis is performed on the neck or at the apex of the thorax. This technique can reduce gastroesophageal reflux without an antireflux procedure.