[Treatment of esophageal achalasia]

4 cases of oesophageal achalasia, 2 primary and 2 recurrences following multiple oesophagomyotomy are reported. The superiority of oesophagomyotomy carried out by the left transthoracic route (according to Ellis) in cases of primary achalasia is stressed. On the basis of the literature and reported experience, it is concluded that this approach is also preferable in recurrences when the previous operation was done by the abdominal route and the recurrence occurred within 6 months. In all other cases, particularly in the presence of an achalasic megaoesophagus, partial oesophagogastric resection with interposition of a jejunal loop (Merendino's operation) is the procedure of choice and the satisfactory results of using it are reported.