Resection of Benign Tumours

Benign oesophageal tumours are rare and in most of the cases completely asymptomatic. Once symptomatic, dysphagia and chest pain are the predominant clinical signs. The diagnostic armamentarium includes contrast swallow, CT scan, endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasound and ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration. The majority of tumours is located in the intramural layer of the lower two-thirds of the thoracic oesophagus. Leiomyoma is the most common type of these tumours. The indication for surgical treatment is based on clinical symptoms and necessity of exact pathologic diagnosis for unclear conditions. Minimally invasive approach for surgical treatment seems to be safe and effective. Enucleation of the tumour by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or laparoscopy depending on the exact tumour location is the method of choice for the majority of benign intramural oesophageal tumours. Generally, surgery for benign oesophageal tumours is followed by low morbidity and complete resolution of symptoms in more than 90% of patients. Long-term prognosis is excellent. To our knowledge, no lethal perioperative outcome has been published so far.