Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy for benign and malignant disease: lessons learned from 46 consecutive procedures

BACKGROUND: Transhiatal and transthoracic esophagectomy are common approaches for esophageal resection. The literature is limited regarding the combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach to esophagectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy for the treatment of benign and malignant esophageal disease. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective chart review of 46 consecutive minimally invasive esophagectomies performed between August 1998 and September 2002. Indications for esophagectomy were carcinoma (n = 38), Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia (n = 3), and recalcitrant stricture (n = 5). Of 38 patients with carcinoma 23 (61%) had neoadjuvant therapy. The main outcome measures were operative time, blood loss, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay, conversion rate, morbidity, mortality, pathology, disease recurrence, and survival. RESULTS: Approaches to esophagectomy were thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy (n = 41), thoracoscopic and laparoscopic Ivor Lewis resection (n = 3), abdominal only laparoscopic esophagogastrectomy (n = 1), and hand-assisted laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy (n = 1). Minimally invasive esophagectomy was successfully completed in 45 (97.8%) of 46 patients. The mean operative time was 350 +/- 75 minutes and the mean blood loss was 279 +/- 184 mL. The median length of intensive care unit stay was 2 days and median length of stay was 8 days. Major complications occurred in 17.4% of patients and minor complications occurred in 10.8%. Late complications were seen in 26.1% of patients. The overall mortality was 4.3%. Among the 38 patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer the 3-year survival was 57%. In a mean followup of 26 months there was no trocar site or neck wound recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: A thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach to esophagectomy is technically feasible and safe for the treatment of benign and malignant esophageal disease. With a mean followup of 26 months thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy appears to be an oncologically acceptable surgical approach for the treatment of esophageal cancer.     

Video-assisted esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

Video-assisted surgery for esophageal cancer is an advanced surgical technique. It has been developed on the basis of the concept of minimally invasive surgery. Given that there are several options regarding the operative procedures for thoracic esophageal cancer, several laparoscopic approaches have been proposed. The first video-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy through a right thoracoscopic approach and the first transhiatal esophagectomy were reported in the early 1990s. A mediastinoscope-assisted esophagectomy has also been reported as a substitute for a blunt dissection of the esophagus. Moreover, a video-assisted Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy by right thoracotomy with intrathoracic anastomosis has also been performed. Furthermore, laparoscopic gastric mobilization and gastroplasty are also widely accepted substitutions for open laparotomy. This article reviews the literature on the laparoscopic approaches for esophageal cancer.     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy for caustic esophageal stricture in children

Esophageal stricture after lye ingestion in children is the most frequent indication for esophagectomy in children, but this operation entails significant risks for complications. With continuing advances in minimally invasive technology, complex procedures such as esophagectomy can be performed using small incisions, with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality. Experience with minimally invasive esophagectomy is limited and has involved thoracoscopic dissection with the addition of laparotomy for gastric mobilization. The authors report a case of intractable caustic esophageal stricture in a child treated by a totally minimally invasive esophagectomy through a combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach. In adult patients, this procedure has been associated with decreased hospital stay and more rapid return to normal activities, and we believe similar benefits will be obtained in children. Until further studies are done to show the advantage over the standard open technique, this procedure should be performed only in centers with experience in open esophageal surgery in children as well as by surgeons with advanced thoracoscopic and laparoscopic skills.     

Totally endoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

Esophagectomy is associated with significant risks of perioperative morbidity and mortality, as well as prolonged convalescence due to effects of the incisions used for conventional surgical access. Because the outcome of this procedure is palliative in the majority of patients, it is possible that laparoscopic techniques could improve initial postoperative outcomes and therefore make surgery more acceptable for patients with esophageal cancer. A new technique is described for Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, which incorporates a hand-assisted laparoscopic approach for gastric mobilization and a thoracoscopic approach for esophageal dissection and anastomosis. Initial experience in two patients has been encouraging, with postoperative hospital stay and convalescence shortened. Received: 17 December 1997/Accepted: 18 March 1998     

胸腹腔镜联合食管癌Ivor-Lewis术与McKeown术近期疗效比较

目的：对比胸腹腔镜Ivor-Lewis术与McKeown术治疗食管癌的近期疗效。方法回顾性分析2010年12月至2014年3月福建医科大学附属协和医院胸外二科同一治疗组采用全腔镜食管癌根治术治疗的288例胸中下段食管癌患者临床资料。其中,Ivor-Lewis组103例,McKeown组185例,两种手术方式均进行胸腹部淋巴结清扫。对比观察两种术式的围术期情况。结果两组术中出血量、中转开胸或开腹率、术后拔管时间、术后进食时间、术后住院时间、清扫淋巴结总数的差异均无统计学意义（P＞0．05）;而Ivor-Lewis组手术时间较McKeown组缩短[（283．4±32．0） min比（303．6±43．7） min,P＜0．01],住院总费用增高[（76492±18553）元比（68923±17331）元,P＜0．01）。McKeown组围手术期死亡1例（0．5％）,Ivor-Lewis组无一例围手术期死亡。Ivor-Lewis组术后总并发症发生率为16．5％（17/103）,明显低于McKeown组的31．4％（58/185）（P＜0．01）,其中术后肺部并发症、吻合口瘘、吻合口狭窄、喉返神经损伤发生率均明显低于McKeown组（均P＜0．05）。结论全胸腹腔镜Ivor-Lewis术较McKeown术治疗胸中下段食管癌术后并发症发生率更低,但手术费用增加。     

Minimally Invasive Approach to Esophagectomy

Background:

Recent advances in laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery have made it possible to perform esophagectomy using minimally invasive techniques. The aim of this report was to present our preliminary experience with minimally invasive esophagectomy.

Methods:

We reviewed our experience on eight patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy using either laparoscopic and/or thoracoscopic techniques from June 1996 to May 1997. Indications for esophagectomy included stage I carcinoma (5), palliative resection (1), Barrett''s with high grade dysplasia (1) and end stage achalasia (1).

Results:

The average age was 68 years (54-82). The surgical approach to esophagectomy included laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis (n=4), thoracoscopic and laparoscopic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis (n=1), and laparoscopic mobilization with right mini-thoracotomy and intra-thoracic anastomosis (n=3). Conversion to mini-laparotomy was required in two patients (25%) to complete esophageal dissection and facilitate gastric pull-up. The mean operative time was 460 minutes. The mean intensive care stay was 1.9 days (range of 0-7 days) with a mean hospital stay of 13-8 days. Minor complications included atrial fibrillation (n=1), pleural effusion (n=2) and persistent air leak (n=1). Major complications included cervical anastomotic leak (n=1), and delayed gastric emptying requiring pyloroplasty (n=1). There was no perioperative mortality.

Conclusions:

This preliminary experience suggests that minimally invasive esophagectomy is safe and feasible in centers with experience in advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures. Further studies are necessary to determine advantages over open esophagectomy.     

Thoracoscopic surgery in the prone position for esophageal cancer in patients with situs inversus totalis: A report of two cases

IntroductionSitus inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital condition characterized by a complete transposition of thoracic and abdominal organs. Here, we present two successful cases of left thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position for SIT-associated esophageal cancer.Presentation of caseOur first case was of an 82-year-old man who underwent a left thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position, followed by hand-assisted laparoscopic gastric mobilization. Surgical duration and blood loss were 661 min and 165 g, respectively. His postoperative course was uneventful. The second case was of a 66-year-old man who underwent a left thoracoscopic esophagectomy in the prone position, followed by gastric mobilization via laparotomy owing to a concomitant intestinal malrotation and polysplenia. Surgical duration and blood loss were 637 min and 220 g, respectively. We trained for the surgical procedures preoperatively using left-inverted and right-inverted thoracoscopic surgical videos of patients with normal anatomy.DiscussionSurgical procedures in SIT patients are challenging owing to their mirrored anatomy. Recognition of their variations is thus important to avoid intraoperative accidental injuries. Left-inverted and right-inverted thoracoscopic surgical videos of patients with normal anatomy were found to be useful for image training prior to the actual surgery.ConclusionThoracoscopic surgical treatment for esophageal cancer associated with SIT in the prone position can be performed safely, similar to the manner performed for thoracoscopic surgery in the right decubitus position, or surgery via an open thoracotomy. Gastric mobilization via laparotomy should be considered in patients associated other anatomic variations.     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: an updated review

Purpose

The surgical, postoperative and oncologic outcomes of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for esophageal cancer were reviewed to clarify the benefits of this surgical modality.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed using synonyms for minimally invasive or thoracoscopic esophagectomy. There were 18 retrospective cohort studies and 3 meta-analyses retrieved in this review.

Results

There are several minimally invasive approaches for esophageal cancer. Total MIE using both the thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach is increasingly performed. A longer operative time and less blood loss are observed with MIE in comparison to open esophagectomy (OE). Although the benefit of MIE for reducing morbidity and mortality rates is still under debate, a shorter hospital stay was common among the studies. The oncologic outcomes of MIE were not inferior to OE, while the number of retrieved lymph nodes was greater in MIE than OE in several studies.

Conclusion

Total MIE using a combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach can be performed safely, although the benefits for short-term outcomes are still controversial. Oncologic outcomes are favorable and MIE may have an advantage in lymph node dissection over OE. The benefits of MIE should therefore be confirmed by randomized controlled trials.     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy in a previously pneumonectomized patient

Abstract Introduction: Surgical resection represents the only therapeutic action having a radical intent for the treatment of resectable esophageal neoplasms. Minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is being more and more frequently performed. Few cases of esophagectomy after pneumonectomy have been described in the literature, and, to our knowledge, none of them was performed by the minimally invasive technique. Subject and Methods: A 77-year-old woman, who had undergone left thoracotomic pneumonectomy due to squamous cell lung cancer 2 years before, underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy because of esophageal cancer at the authors' institution. The intervention was performed by right thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization with the patient in the prone position, followed by the laparoscopic and cervicotomic stages, with cervical anastomosis. Results: Total operative time was 230 minutes. Intensive care unit stay was 1 day, followed by a hospital stay of 13 days. We did not observe any major postoperative complication. Conclusions: Minimally invasive esophagectomy with thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization in the prone position is a valid option in the treatment of esophageal cancer and may be feasible in previously left pneumonectomized patients.     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy: the evolution and technique of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer

Beginning with the widespread introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in late 1989, minimally invasive surgical technique has been refined in conjunction with the development of advanced instrumentation and have subsequently been applied to increasingly complicated disease processes. Esophageal surgeons have increasingly incorporated minimally invasive surgery into their practice since the first laparoscopic fundoplication was described by Dallemagne et al. in 1991. Esophagectomy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality even in highly experienced centers. Many esophageal surgeons have had a great deal of interest in minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE), which has the potential advantages of being a less traumatic procedure with a resultant improvement in postoperative convalescence and fewer wound and cardiopulmonary complications compared to the open approaches. Throughout the 1990s, as confidence with laparoscopic surgery of the esophagogastric junction grew, MIE was initially attempted with hybrid operations combining traditional open surgery with minimally invasive approaches. Subsequently, a totally laparoscopic transhiatal approach was described; however, this approach was perceived to be very challenging and has not gained widespread acceptance. Approaches used at present depend on cancer stage, cancer location, body habitus, and pulmonary function. For localized cancer (T1N0) or HGD, we prefer laparoscopic inversion esophagectomy (retrograde or antigrade). This approach may also be used for patients at high risk for thoracotomy. For locally advanced cancer in the middle third of the esophagus or for proximal third esophageal cancer, we prefer 3-field MIE (abdomen, and chest with neck anastomosis). For locally advanced cancer in the distal esophagus, especially in patients with a short thick neck, we prefer thoracoscopic-laparoscopic (2-field) esophagectomy (TLE).     

Minimally invasive transhiatal and transthoracic esophagectomy

Background Standard esophagectomy requires either a laparotomy with transhiatal removal of the esophagus or a combination of laparotomy and thoracotomy. Currently, it still is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Complications leading to greater morbidity and mortality are rarely seen after minimally invasive surgery. The authors present their experience with 25 minimally invasive esophageal resections. Methods Between August 1st, 2003 and November 30th, 2005, the authors performed 25 minimally invasive esophageal resections for 4 woman and 21 men. Data were acquired prospectively. Results In this series, a laparoscopic transhiatal approach was performed in 9 cases, a combined laparoscopic-thoracoscopic procedure in 12 cases, and laparoscopic creation of a gastric tube combined with thoracotomy in 4 cases. No conversion became necessary. The mean operation time was 165 min (range, 150–180 min) for the laparoscopic transhiatal approach and 300 min (range, 240–360 min) for both combination approaches. Using the combined laparoscopic-thoracoscopic procedure, 23 lymph nodes (range, 19–26 lymph nodes) were removed, and using the laparoscopic transhiatal approach, 14 lymph nodes (range, 12–17 lymph nodes) were removed. The median stay in the intensive care unit was 1.5 days (range, 1–22 days), and the overall postoperative stay was 10 days (range, 7–153 days). Two intraoperative complications and two cervical anastomotic leakages were observed. The 30-day mortality rate was 0%. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that laparoscopic transhiatal and combined laparoscopic/thoracoscopic esophagectomy are feasible and can be performed with low rates of morbidity and mortality. Due to an equal extent of lymph node dissection, there should be no difference in long-term survival between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery.     

食管微创解剖特点在食管癌三野清扫中的应用

目的 探讨食管及其周围结构的微创解剖特点在胸腹腔镜下食管癌三野淋巴结清扫术中的应用.方法 回顾性分析2011年7月至2012年9月间汕头市中心医院收治的67例食管癌患者的临床资料,所有病例均行三野淋巴结清扫术,根据食管系膜的微创解剖学特点选择恰当的操作平面;胸腔镜下以奇静脉为界,将操作空间分为上、下食管三角;胰腺是腹腔镜下胃游离的关键解剖标志,胰周间隙是腹腔镜手术和天然外科平面;椎前筋膜是颈部清扫的底面,两侧则以颈动脉鞘为界.结果 全组手术时间220～320（平均251.6）min,术中出血量为40～320（平均105.6）ml.共清扫淋巴结1949枚,每例13～46（平均 29.1）枚,其中胸区淋巴结平均15.1枚/例,腹区8.2枚/例,颈区5.8枚/例.无围手术期死亡病例.术后随访2～14（平均8.2）月,随访率 98.5％（66/67）,受访患者均存活,出现反流性食管炎10例,吻合口狭窄3例.结论 建立腔镜下整体解剖观念、明确食管系膜的解剖层面和镜下定位,有助于提高腔镜食管癌根治术的安全性和根治性.     

侧俯卧位全腔镜食管癌手术淋巴结清扫的临床分析

目的总结侧俯卧位全腔镜食管癌切除术清扫胸腹二野淋巴结的临床经验。方法回顾性分析2009年9月-2011年2月82例全腔镜食管癌切除术与78例常规颈、胸、腹三切口食管癌切除术的临床资料。比较2组手术的胸腹部各区域淋巴结清扫数目、淋巴结转移度、生存率及术后并发症发生率。结果2组均顺利完成手术,2组清扫左右喉返神经旁淋巴结数目分别为（4．1±3．4）枚及（1．1±1．7）枚,上纵隔淋巴结数目分别为（6．8±5．O）枚及（4．9±4．0）枚,腔镜组均多于开放组（P〈0．05）。腔镜组3年生存率（65．4％）与开放组（62．3％）相似（10g—rank检验,X2=0．022,P=0．886）。结论侧俯卧位全腔镜食管癌切除淋巴结清扫疗效肯定,尤其是清扫上纵隔及左右喉返神经旁淋巴结方面,更为有效及彻底。     

Minimally invasive surgical enucleation or esophagogastrectomy for benign tumor of the esophagus

Experience in surgical resection of benign tumor of the esophagus is limited. Authors performed a chart review of 5 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgical resection of benign esophageal tumor. Main outcome measures included operative approaches, tumor's location and size, and outcomes. Tumor location were middle esophagus (n = 1), distal esophagus (n = 2), and gastroesophageal junction (n = 2). There were 4 females with a mean age of 55 years. Surgical approaches included thoracoscopic enucleation (n = 1), laparoscopic enucleation (n = 1), and laparoscopic and thoracoscopic Ivor Lewis esophagogastrectomy (n = 3). There were no open conversions. Mean operative time for enucleation was 127 minutes and 240 minutes for Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Mean hospital stay was 5.8 days. There were no major or minor complications. Three patients developed stomal stenosis. The 30-day mortality was zero. Surgical pathology showed leiomyoma in 3 patients and gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 2 patients. Tumor size ranged from 1.1 to 10.5 cm. There has been no tumor recurrence at a mean follow-up of 14 months. Minimally invasive surgical enucleation or esophagogastrectomy for benign esophageal tumor is feasible and safe. The optimal approaches should be tailored based on the location and size of the tumor.     

Prone thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization for minimally invasive esophagectomy

Background Minimally invasive esophagectomy is a complex surgical procedure. We recently began performing thoracic mobilization of the esophagus with the patient in the prone position, not the left lateral decubitus position, in the hope of minimizing the number of technical challenges. Methods Six consecutive minimally invasive esophagectomies were performed using prone thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization with creation of cervical anastamosis. Our esophagectomy database was evaluated for outcomes, including operative time, estimated blood loss, complications, and length of hospital stay. Results We were successful in our first six attempts, with a mean blood loss of 61 cc. Mean operative time for thoracoscopy was 80 min. Operative times were steady over the first six prone cases at 105, 85, 70, 55, 80, and 85 min. Three of the six patients had no complications. Median postoperative length of hospital stay was 11.5 days, and there were no deaths. Conclusions This technical report and case series demonstrates that prone thoracoscopic esophageal mobilization appears to be a reasonable alternative to the same procedure performed with the patient in the decubitus position. We find the technique to simplify portions of an otherwise difficult surgical procedure. Further evaluation with larger number of patients should be performed.     

The management of esophageal cancer with situs inversus totalis by simultaneous hand-assisted laparoscopic gastric mobilization and thoracoscopic esophagectomy

Situs inversus is a rare disorder. We present a case of esophageal cancer with situs inversus totalis, which was successfully managed by laparoscopic gastric mobilization and thoracoscopic esophagectomy. A 57-year-old man presented to our hospital with intermittent epigastric and retrosternal pains. X-ray and computed tomography demonstrated situs inversus totalis. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and barium swallow showed esophageal cancer of the lower thoracic esophagus. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he underwent surgical intervention. Under general anesthesia, laparoscopic gastric mobilization using hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery technique was performed. The locations of the port sites were all the mirror image of the regular fashion, and the right hand of the surgeon was inserted into the peritoneal cavity. Reconstruction of the digestive tract using a gastric tube via the retrosternal route was then achieved. Finally, thoracoscopic esophagectomy with the patient in the right decubitus position was successfully completed. Postoperative recovery was uneventful.     

Open transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy versus minimally invasive esophagectomy in terms of morbidity, mortality and survival

Background Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality even in specialized centers. Minimally invasive surgery has been proposed to decrease these complications. Methods The authors present their results regarding postoperative complications and the survival rate at 3 years, comparing the classic open procedures (transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy) with minimally invasive surgery. Surgical procedures were performed according to procedures published elsewhere. Results The study enrolled 166 patients who underwent surgery between 1990 and 2003. Open transthoracic surgery was performed for 60 patients. In this group of patients, postoperative mortality was observed in 11% of the cases. Major, minor, and late complications were observed in 61.6% of the patients, and the 3-year survival rate was 30% for this group. Open transhiatal surgery was performed for 59 patients. The morbidity, mortality, and 3-year rate were almost the same as for the transthoracic surgery group. For the 47 patients submitted to minimally invasive procedures (thoracoscopic and laparoscopic), the complications and mortality rates were significantly reduced (38.2% and 6.4%, respectively). For the patients submitted to minimally invasive surgery, the 3-year survival rate was 45.4%. It is important to clarify that the patients submitted to minimally invasive surgery manifested early stages of the diseases, and that this the reason why the morbimortality and survival rates were better. Conclusions The transthoracic and transhiatal open approaches have similar early and late results. Minimally invasive surgery is an option for patients with esophageal carcinoma, with reported results similar to those for open surgery. This approach is indicated mainly for selected patients with early stages of the disease. Presented as a “free paper” during the 9th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, Cancun, Mexico, 4-7 February, 2004     

Minimally invasive esophagectomy is safe in patients with previous gastric bypass

BackgroundThe prevalence of morbid obesity in the United States has been steadily increasing, and there is an established relationship between obesity and the risk of developing certain cancers. Patients who have undergone prior gastric bypass (GB) and present with newly diagnosed esophageal cancer represent a new and challenging cohort for surgical resection of their disease. We present our case series of consecutive patients with previous GB who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).MethodsRetrospective review of consecutive patients with a history of GB who underwent a MIE for esophageal cancer between July 2010 and August 2012.ResultsFive patients were identified with a mean age of 57 years. Mean follow-up was 9.1 months. Four patients had undergone laparoscopic GB, and 1 patient had an open GB. Two patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for locally advanced disease. Minimally invasive procedures were thoracoscopic/laparoscopic esophagectomy with cervical anastomosis in 4 patients and colonic interposition in 1 patient. Mean operative time was 6 hours and 52 minutes. Median length of stay was 7 days. There was no mortality. Postoperative complications occurred in 3 patients and included pneumonia/respiratory failure, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and pyloric stenosis. All patients are alive and disease free at last follow-up.ConclusionsMinimally invasive esophagectomy after prior GB is well tolerated, is technically feasible, and has acceptable oncologic and perioperative outcomes. We conclude that precise endoscopic evaluation before bariatric surgery in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease is essential, as is the necessity for continuing postsurgical surveillance in patients with known Barrett’s esophagitis and for early evaluation in patients who develop new symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease after bariatric surgery.     

Minimally invasive therapy for benign tumors of the distal third of the esophagus--a single institute's experience

INTRODUCTION: Traditionally, the treatment of benign esophageal tumors is enucleation achieved via a thoracotomy. Since 1992, many reports of thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approaches have been published. In this paper, we present a retrospective study of 18 patients with benign distal esophageal tumors who underwent minimally invasive procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 18 patients were treated in our institute form 1994 to 2006. Tumors of the middle third were approached thoracoscopically, and laparoscopic transhiatal enucleation was performed for tumors of the lower third. One patient had associated achalasia cardia, for which a cardiomyotomy with Toupet fundoplication was also performed, and another patient underwent an esophagectomy for a large tumor. RESULTS: There were 12 males and 6 females and the average age was 59 years. The majority of the tumors were in the lower third, and the most common type of tumor was leiomyoma. Postoperative complications were recorded. DISCUSSION: Leiomyomas are the most common benign tumors and are located frequently in the middle and lower third. Based on our experience, we feel that lower esophageal tumors are best approached by a laparoscopic transhiatal route and midesophageal tumors by a right thoracoscopic approach. Conclusions: Minimally invasive surgery for benign esophageal tumors is ideal, reducing the morbidity of conventional methods.