THORACOSCOPIC ENUCLEATION OF A LARGE LEIOMYOMA LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ESOPHAGEAL WALL

Thoracoscopic enucleation through the right thorax was successfully pe rformed for a large leiomyoma located on the left wall of the upper-mi ddle esophagus. Using intraoperative esophagoscopy, the exact location of the tumor was identified by trans-illumination. Two sling tapes pa ssed around the esophagus made the procedure as easy as that for tumor located on the right wall of the esophagus. We considered that the th oracoscopic approach through the right thorax can be applied to variou s types of esophageal leiomyoma, even a large one located on the left side of the esophagus.