Robotic extirpation of complex massive esophageal leiomyoma

Esophageal leiomyomas are the most common benign mesenchymal esophageal tumors, but they occur rarely in the pediatric population. Leiomyomas are conventionally treated with extramucosal enucleation via an open thoracotomy. In this paper, we report a case of a complex massive retrocardiac esophageal leiomyoma that was successfully extirpated by using a robotic-assisted thoracoscopic technique. Intraoperative esophagoscopy and transillumination were useful adjuncts in identifying the esophagus and developing a safe extramucosal dissection plane.