Stapled resection for bronchogenic cyst of the esophagus performed using video-assisted thoracic surgery

Esophageal bronchogenic cyst is a rare congenital malformation. Although thoracoscopic resection is useful, it has not been adopted for esophageal cysts with a large size or severe inflammatory adhesions. We first reported a case of esophageal bronchogenic cyst that was completely resected using endo-staplers during video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A 28-year-old man was referred for the treatment of a mediastinal cystic tumor located between the trachea and esophagus. His chief complaints were coughing and chest pain. We performed the operation using a right thoracoscopic approach. The cyst showed an exophytic protrusion with a thin stalk connected to the esophageal wall. Because the split of the muscle layer around the cyst was difficult and the enucleation could not be performed, a partial resection of the esophagus using endo-staplers was selected. Histopathological findings were specific for a bronchogenic cyst of the esophagus. He has shown no signs of disease-recurrence or had any complaints.