In the era of selective vagotomy the gastric motility is increasingly important. Measuring methods are demonstrated as to electromyography, intraluminal pressure measuring, measuring of emptying using isotope labeled food, and serial X-ray technique with amplifier photography. Measurings were performed in 12 patients, before and 4 months after selective proximal vagotomy. The bioelectric gastric activity is hardly influenced by selective proximal vagotomy. Enhanced antral peristalsis (tonic and peristaltic contraction) and delayed emptying are observed in cases without pyloroplasty. The authors therefore recommend that preoperative examination of motility in combination with intraoperative findings should indicate the pyloroplasty.