Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure was measured in 7 cirrhotic patients with massive ascites, before and after paracentesis. The mean LES pressure was 19.8 ± 2.2 SEM mm Hg before and 16.3 ± 1.4 SEM mm Hg after paracentesis (p < 0.05). It is concluded that cirrhotic patients with massive ascites are protected from reflux esophagitis by having an increased LES pressure.

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