From January 1992 to December 1994, a laparoscopic oesophageal myotomy combined with Dor fundoplication was performed in 33 patients with oesophageal achalasia. Intraoperative endoscopic balloon distension of the cardia proved useful to identify the oesophagogastric junction, ease the myotomy, and control its completeness. There was no operative mortality. A mucosal tear not requiring conversion occurred in three patients who had previously undergone pneumatic endoscopic dilations of the cardia. The early clinical and functional results show the effectiveness of the operation.