INTRODUCTION: The myotomy employed in the treatment of achalasia and megaesophagus yields good results, both the abdominal route, open, or laparoscopic and thoracic approach. However, regardless of the technique, according to some studies, 6 to 25% of patients will have recurrence of dysphagia, early or delayed. AIM: To review the diagnosis, therapy and results in recurrent achalasia. METHOD: The issues were raised from Medline, Pubmed, Scielo, CAPS, Chocraine, Lilacs using the keywords achalasia, achalasia-recurrence, megaesophagus, megaesophagus-recurrence. RESULTS: Surgical options for treatment of relapsed megaesophagus are shown in forms so varied and personal with technical details and diverse. The techniques recommended were basically: remyotomy, cardioplasty, esophagectomy and mucosectomy, including variants of these operations. CONCLUSION: The choice of technique should be individualized based on the cause of relapse, which should be thoroughly investigated preoperatively. The remyotomy represents the most feasible alternative, with lower morbidity and satisfactory results and effectiveness in the improvement of dysphagia, but with mild esophagitis in 40% and lower level of satisfaction over the years after surgery, reaching 57,1% after 20 years.
Esophageal achalasia; Deglutition disorders; Recurrence