title: Laparoscopic-assisted resection of a large retroperitoneal tumor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retroperitoneal tumors have traditionally been excised using standard open techniques. When preparing the manuscript we knew of only 1 report, in Japanese, describing the excision of 2 retroperitoneal neurofibromas using a minimally invasive technique. The feasibility of the technique was tested in the removal of a large retroperitoneal neurofibroma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laparoscopic-assisted resection of a large retroperitoneal tumor was offered to a 37-year-old female with a 12 x 10 x 9-cm neurofibroma located inferior to the left kidney. The patient was placed on a beanbag in a right lateral decubitus position. Three 5-mm ports were used, and the tumor was mobilized followed by placement of a hand port for completion of dissection and removal of the tumor.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The tumor was successfully removed in about 3 hours, and blood loss was <100 cc. The patient developed urinary and bowel dysfunction probably secondary to the effect of the dissection and removal of the tumor on the nearby sacral plexus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe that laparoscopy is a feasible and appropriate technique available to general and laparoscopic surgeons in the management of retroperitoneal tumors, providing excellent visualization and adequate access for proper dissection through small incisions.
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Fontana, California, USA. s.johna@verizon.net
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johna
authors.forename: Tiglat
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shalita
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000601:surgery*; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*