Transthoracic Robotic Excision of Esophageal Leiomyoma

This video shows an example of a transthoracic robotic resection of an esophageal leiomyoma. A 48-year-old male was admitted with the complaint of dysphagia. A thoracic CT scan revealed a lesion located at the carinal level of the esophagus. The endoscopic findings confirmed that a 6 cm leiomyoma with no mucosal invasion was obstructing 75% of the esophageal lumen. Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection was not suitable for this giant leiomyoma, so the patient underwent transthoracic robotic excision. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged on the third postoperative day. The esophagus was normal on a barium swallow during the second postoperative month. The authors believe that a robotic approach is feasible, safe, and superior for the surgical removal of thoracic esophageal leiomyomas.