A duel lumen catheter is provided for use in minimally invasive surgery. The catheter generally includes a first tube defining an operative lumen and a second tube terminating proximally of the first tube and defining an inflation lumen. In one embodiment, the first and second tubes are concentric. In an alternative embodiment, the first and second tubes are separate and extend parallel to each other. The first and second tubes are provided with inflation ports adjacent their respective distal ends. There is also provided a method for performing minimally invasive surgery by inserting the catheter through the esophagus of a patient, insufflating the stomach and performing a surgical operation through the catheter and external to the stomach.