[The value of the symptom of dysphagia from the surgeon's viewpoint]

Dysphagia is the leading symptom in the most frequent and surgically most important disturbances of the passage of the oesophagus. Possibilities and results of the treatment are analysed on the basis of clinical material from the surgical clinic of Halle university. Nevertheless insufficient results in malignant tumours are opposite to favourable results of the operation in benign diseases (diverticles, achalasia, strictures). Measures for the improvement of the situation of treatment are discussed.