Background: Retroperitoneal ganglioneuromas are rare entities. Their treatment is complete surgical resection. Due to the proximity to major vessels, variable location and unknown malignant status, surgeons are often reluctant to use a laparoscopic approach for the resection of retroperitoneal masses. To our knowledge, only five cases of laparoscopic resection of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma have been previously reported.
Clinical case: We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who complained of intense, diffuse, stabbing, intermittent, nonradiating abdominal pain sharpest in both flanks during the preceding 6 months. A contrast-enhanced CT scan showed a well-defined, homogeneous 4-cm mass located in the retroperitoneum, extending from the exit of the inferior mesenteric vessels up to the renal veins. A laparoscopic anterior transperitoneal approach was performed with infraumbilical Hasson trocar and two 10-mm trocars in both iliac fossas. Operation time was 90 min. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day. Histopathology reported a retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma. After 12 months follow-up, the patient is alive and disease-free.
Conclusions: For digestive surgeons not used to the retroperitoneal access through the lateral position, the anterior transperitoneal approach can be a safe alternative for the resection of retroperitonal neoplasms.