Motor function was investigated by constant perfusion manometry in the Roux limb of ten patients who had undergone total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis. Results showed that in the fasting state, the migrating motor complex (MMC) was comletely absent, retrograde in direction or bursts of nonphasic pressure activity. Reduced motor activity patterns occurred after the meal in some patients. Four patients failed to convert fasting state into the feeding state. Total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomoses provakes a relatively severe distubance in motor function, which could contribute to postoperative upper abdominal distress.