Abstract Circumferential division of the oesophageal muscle combined with hiatal hernia repair has been carried out in 26 patients, 19 of whom had a peptic stricture. The object of the procedure is to achieve slight elongation and relaxation of the oesophagus so as to make reduction of the hernia easier in the presence of slight degrees of oesophageal shortening and to reduce the likelihood of recurrence. The rationale and technique are described and details of illustrative cases are given. The postoperative radiological appearances, which are somewhat unusual, are illustrated. The indications and contra-indications are discussed. It is claimed that while circumferential myotomy is useless in the presence of gross shortening of the oesophagus it is of value in borderline cases where reduction of the hernia can be effected only by exerting slight tension on the oesophagus.