[Recurrences after surgical treatment of achalasia of the cardia (author's transl)].

We observed 17 cases of so-called recurrences of achalasia of the cardia (10 times after preceding dilatation and 7 times after Heller's operation). For surgical treatment 16 of these patients underwent cardiomyotomy, using the transthoracic approach. In one patient who had cardiomyotomy plus fundoplication at the first operation an oesophago-gastrostomy became necessary. Three quarter of these patients had a satisfactory result when followed up. I case of recurrence the authors recommend to give priority to cardiomyotomy, rather than to dilatation or bougienage.