Symptomatic mucocele after esophageal exclusion.

Surgical exclusion of the thoracic esophagus can result in the accumulation of secretions and dilatation of the esophageal remnant, a clinical picture known as esophageal mucocele. Although it is usually asymptomatic, if it increases in size it can produce a variety of compressive symptoms such as coughing, chest pain and respiratory distress. We present two cases of symptomatic mucocele after esophageal exclusion treated successfully with surgical resection. We believe that surgical resection should be considered for symptomatic patients, and that esophageal bypass surgery should be used with caution and indicated mostly in patients with a limited life span or with contraindications for esophagectomy.