title: Laparoscopic approach for retrorectal tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Retrorectal tumors are uncommon and may represent a surgical challenge. Laparoscopic excision has been reported in very few papers. We present our experience of nine cases operated by a transabdominal laparoscopic approach, between 2005 and 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were two males and seven females with a mean age of 35 years (range 19-48). The tumors were discovered incidentally in four cases or because of nonspecific clinical signs. All patients have had an MRI preoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one patient required open conversion due to a huge tumor >7 cm of diameter. Postoperative mortality was nil. One patient developed a hematoma in the pelvic area. The median hospital stay was 4.7 days (range 4-8). Final diagnostic were as follows: four schwannomas, one ganglioneuroma, two tailgut cysts, one anterior meningocele, and one paragangliomas. During the follow-up showed no recurrences, but four of nine patients developed neurologic complications as parenthesis and sciatic pain and one patient developed retrograde ejaculation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our case series shows that the laparoscopic approach is a feasible and safe option. It reduces surgical trauma and offers an excellent tool for perfect visualization of the deep structures in the presacral space to minimize the vascular and neurological injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery A, Saint Eloi Hospital, CHRU Montpellier, 80 Av. Augustin Fliche, 34295, Montpellier Cedex 5, France, nedelcu.marius@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nedelcu
authors.forename: Anamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andreica
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skalli
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pirlet
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guillon
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nocca
authors.forename: Jean Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Fabre
mesh_terms: D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012447:Sacrum; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult