Enucleation of an intramural lipoma of the oesophagus by videothoracoscopy.

An intramural oesophageal lipoma was enucleated by a videoassisted thoracoscopic technique in a patient with dysphagia and reflux symptoms. His symptoms and erosive reflux oesophagitis healed after the operation, but impaired oesophageal motility persisted as assessed by postoperative manometry four months later. The benefits of the videoassisted technique include decreased operative trauma, a short hospital stay and a rapid return to normal activities.