Objective: To discuss the application value of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in treatment of esophageal leiomyoma.
Method: Clinical data of patients with esophageal leiomyoma treated by VATS from January 1999 to August 2007 were analyzed.
Results: VATS esophageal leiomyoma enucleations were performed successfully in 23 patients, and 18 patients of them were performed by pure VATS, 5 patients of them were performed with mini-thoracotomy. All the procedures of operations were completed smoothly without mortality and postoperative complications. 22 patients were pathologically diagnosed as esophageal leiomyoma after surgery (2 patients' leiomyoma came from muscularis mucosa). 1 patient was esophageal muscularis neurilemmoma.
Conclusion: VATS leiomyoma enucleations must be a routine operation while treat thoracic esophageal leiomyoma.