What is a pH/manometry?

This procedure involves two tests. The first is the esophageal manometry that is used to measure how well your esophagus (food tube) is working. This test can help reveal causes of heartburn, swallowing issues and chest pain by measuring how your esophagus muscles work. The procedure involves placing a small, flexible tube through the nose and into the esophagus and stomach. Your nose and throat will be numbed, and the procedure will last for approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

The second procedure is the ambulatory pH procedure. This test measures the amount of acidic stomach contents and gas (reflux) that back up into the esophagus. Because reflux can be different throughout the day, we measure you constantly over a 24 hour period. To do so, a recording device is attached during tube insertion. Then, you are asked to keep a simple diary over a 24 hour period.