Objective: This retrospective study aimed to present our surgical experience in patients with primary retroperitoneal tumors (PRTs) who underwent laparoscopic surgery and to compare the results with those of patients who underwent an open operation. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the medical data of patients who underwent retroperitoneal tumor resection through laparoscopic surgery or open operation between February 2014 and November 2019. Results: In total, 77 patients were enrolled. In total, 37 patients underwent open surgery and 40 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. The tumor size in the open surgery group (10.2 ± 5.4 cm) was more significant than that in the laparoscopic surgery group (6.5 ± 3.1 cm) (P < .001). No difference was observed in operative time, blood loss, and transfusion between the two groups. Postoperative hospitalization in the open group (8.43 ± 2.77 days) was longer than that in the laparoscopic group (5.63 ± 2.16 days) (P < .001). The patients with PRTs in the IV area had minimal bleeding (16.67 ± 40.82 mL) and minimum postoperative hospitalization (3.83 ± 1.60 days). Conclusions: Laparoscopic resection of PRT is feasible in the selection of appropriate cases. The advantages are small trauma, light pain, quick recovery, and short hospital stay. It is especially suitable for benign PRTs with small size and cystic or small adhesion with vital organs or great vessels.
Keywords: laparoscopy; retroperitoneal tumor; surgical management.