A 42-year old male was seen with symptoms of dysphagia, chest pain and dyspnea of 9 months duration. A benign tumor of the posterior mediastinum was diagnosed from x-ray studies and a transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy which was inconclusive. A left thoracotomy revealed a huge mass occupying the retrocardiac space and the contra-lateral mediastinum. It was resected by blunt dissection and, during this process, a 3.0 cm laceration was created in the esophageal wall. This was repaired with Tevdec sutures and staplers and was reinforced with an intercostal muscle flap to prevent leakage. The postoperative course was entirely uneventful.