Utility of Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Surgery for Retroperitoneal Tumors

Introduction: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery for benign retroperitoneal tumors is often challenging because of variations in the tumor location and size. In this study, we present a retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection technique used at our institution to treat benign retroperitoneal tumors.

Materials and methods: This retrospective case series included nine consecutive patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic tumor resection between 2011 and 2023. We analyzed patients' clinical characteristics and perioperative outcomes.

Results: There were four women and five men with a median age of 44 (range, 15-70) years and a median body mass index of 22.0 (range, 17.8-29.2) kg/m². Among the nine tumors resected, 7 were located in the right suprahilar region, 1 in the left suprahilar region, and 1 in the left infrahilar region. The median maximal tumor diameter was 3.0 cm (range, 1.8-12). The median operative time and estimated blood loss were 144 minutes (range, 76-358) and 7 mL (range, 1-479), respectively. No major perioperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥3) or conversion to open surgery were recorded. Pathological examination confirmed negative surgical margins in all cases.

Conclusions: Retroperitoneal laparoscopic resection was found to be a feasible and safe approach for treating benign retroperitoneal tumors.