Combined thoraco-laparoscopy for trans-diaphragmatic thoraco-abdominal enteric duplications

During the last years, several thoracic and abdominal enteric duplications were resected in our institution by means of minimally invasive approaches [Rev Cir Infantil 1999;9(2):113-115]. Our last patient, however, had a giant thoraco-abdominal duodenal duplication, extending from the upper thoracic cavity to the pelvis, in a dumbbell fashion. Forty days after birth, a combined "thoraco-laparoscopy" was performed, achieving a complete resection of the cyst. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired as well. Recovery was uneventful. Based on this successful experience, we think that the thoraco-laparoscopic approach is suitable and reproducible for patients with these infrequent malformations, and even for patients with other kinds of thoraco-abdominal lesions. The purpose of this report was to describe the minimally invasive strategy used to approach the thorax and the abdomen in a single-stage procedure.