For operative treatment of achalasia transabdominal myotomy combined w
ith a semifundoplication was performed in 37 patients. 35 patients cou
ld be followed up during an average period of 41 months. 19 patients (
54 %) were completely and 12 (34 %) almost symptom-free. In one case a
peptic esophageal stenosis developed. The results of operation were e
specially in the group of young patients under 40 years favourable and
there was no influence on results of preoperative duration of symptom
s or number of dilatations before surgery. Transabdominal myotomy with
semifundoplication has shown as a procedure with low complication rat
es and good long-time results for the symptomatically therapy of achal
asia.