Leiomyoma of the oesophagus: experience in 23 patients

Experience in 23 patients with oesophageal leiomyoma treated surgically dur ing the past 15 years is reported. The essential points in incidence, age d istribution, male/female ratio, biological behavior, associated disorders, diagnostic difficulties, indications and technique of surgical treatment ar e discussed. According to the level of tumor patients were operated on thro ugh right or left thoracotomy. Enucleation of the tumor with blunt dissecti on of the mucosa was the surgical procedure of choise. There was no operati ve mortality. Our method of exposing the mucosa and avoiding the undesirabl e perforation by inserting the Maloney-type rubber dilator at the time of o peration is presented.