Rare chest cyst in 43-year-old man treated using robotic surgery

For nearly two months, 43-year-old Rahul (name changed) lived with a strange, persistent discomfort in his chest. It wasn’t sharp pain. More like a constant burning and heaviness that refused to settle. There was pressure too, the kind that makes you uneasy through the day and keeps you thinking something isn’t right.He did what most people would do. He visited doctors. He ran tests. But the answers didn’t come easily. The symptoms continued, quietly interfering with his routine, his sleep, and his peace of mind.Eventually, he was referred to Gleneagles Hospital. That’s where things became clearer, and more serious. The gastro-intestinal surgery team discovered a large cyst sitting deep inside his chest. It was no ordinary growth. The cyst was lodged in the centre of the chest cavity, pressing against his food pipe (oesophagus) and even close to the heart.Dr Prashanth Rao, Director of Surgical Gastroenterology and Minimal Access Surgery, Gleneagles Hospital, said, “Rahul had a rare condition that only affects 1 in 1 lakh people – an esophageal duplication cyst that was increasing in size and compressing both the food pipe and the heart. There was also a risk of rupture, dangerous bleeding into the cyst, or infection if left untreated. Operating in such a sensitive area requires absolute precision. A conventional open surgical approach would have meant a large incision through the ribcage, causing a lot of pain and slow recovery. Robotic surgery allows us to work in confined spaces with far better vision and control than conventional methods. We performed this procedure by inserting robotic instruments through small (8mm) incisions on the right side of the chest. These fine instruments allowed us to precisely dissect and remove the cyst from the heart and esophageal walls without causing damage to surrounding structures. Rahul was very comfortable immediately after surgery and was discharged in 3 days.”In Rahul’s case, that’s exactly what had happened.There was also risk involved in waiting. The cyst could rupture. It could bleed internally. It could get infected. None of those were chances worth taking.Removing the cyst wasn’t going to be straightforward. It was large. It was surrounded by vital structures. And it sat in one of the most sensitive areas of the body.Traditionally, such a surgery would require opening the chest through the ribcage, a major procedure with significant pain and a longer recovery period. But the team chose a different path.They opted for robotic, minimally invasive thoracic surgery.In October 2025, Rahul underwent the procedure. Through small 8mm incisions on the right side of his chest, robotic instruments were inserted. The enhanced 3D vision offered by the system helped the team carefully separate the cyst from the heart and oesophageal walls without damaging surrounding tissue.Dr. Rao says the precision of robotic surgery makes a real difference in tight spaces like the chest cavity. Instead of large cuts and significant trauma, the approach is controlled and targeted.And for the patient, that matters.Rahul’s recovery was smooth. He was comfortable soon after surgery and discharged within three to four days. For a procedure involving the chest, that’s significant.Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai, said the hospital uses advanced robotic systems, including the da Vinci Xi platform, for a range of complex procedures — from cardiac and urological surgeries to liver operations. The goal, he said, is to reduce trauma, minimise complications, and help patients return to normal life sooner.For Rahul, the experience was reassuring.He admits he was nervous at first. Chest surgery sounds intimidating to anyone. But he says his doctors took the time to explain the condition and the robotic approach clearly. That helped calm his fears.Today, he’s back to his regular routine and feeling well.