title: [Laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma through anterior transperitoneal approach].
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain. jruiztovar@gmail.com
authors: Jaime
authors: J
authors: Ruiz-Tovar
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Gamallo-Amat
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*