Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery for Esophageal Leiomyoma: A Ten-Year Single-Institution Experience

Objective: This study was a 10-year single-institution experience with surgery for esophageal leiomyomas comparing a minimally invasive approach to thoracotomy. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent resection of esophageal leiomyomas between 2008 and 2017 was conducted. Information on demographic features, symptoms, the operative approach, and complications was recorded. Results: Fifty-six patients were enrolled. Forty patients underwent an open surgical approach, and 16 patients were treated using thoracoscopy. There was no postoperative mortality or esophageal leakage. Five patients required the repair of a mucosal injury during resection. There were no statistically significant differences in operative time, blood loss, chest tube duration, or the length of postoperative stay between the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) group and the thoracotomy group. The mean tumor size in the thoracotomy group was larger than that in the VATS group (3.632.15 versus 2.23 +/- 1.30, P=.01). Conclusions: Thoracoscopic enucleation is a safe and effective treatment for esophageal leiomyoma.