Thoracoscopic enucleation of a large esophageal leiomyoma in the lower esophagus: challenges and solutions

Esophageal leiomyomas are rare tumors which have been conventionally managed using open surgery. Only few reports describe the enucleation of large or circumferential leiomyoma successfully managed by thoracoscopy. We herein describe a case of a large circumferential esophageal leiomyoma successfully enucleated using thoracoscopy. An asymptomatic 28-year-old gentleman was diagnosed with a posterior mediastinal mass on a screening chest radiograph. On further investigations with computerized tomography scan and endoscopy, he was diagnosed to have a circumferential homogenous 7×5 cm submucosal lesion in the lower end of the esophagus. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to rule out duplication cyst and positron emission scan to rule out malignancy in view of suspicious features on endoscopic ultrasound. The final provisional diagnosis was benign lesion of the esophagus. Biopsy of tumor was avoided preoperatively to decrease the chances of intraoperative mucosal injury. The patient was planned for a thoracoscopic enucleation. The tumor was enucleated with meticulous dissection in the submucosal plane with use of stay sutures and minimal use of cautery. There was a pinpoint mucosal perforation which was repaired. The integrity of repair was checked using methylene blue insufflation test and endoscopy. The patient had an uneventful recovery with postoperative gastrografin showing no leak or stricture. Conclusively, a large esophageal leiomyoma may be safely enucleated thoracoscopically with meticulous dissection.