From laparoscopic training on an animal model to retroperitoneoscopic or coelioscopic adrenal and renal surgery in human

So far, laparoscopic approaches to kidney and adrenal have been limited because of their retroperitoneal location. We here report eight renal and adrenal endoscopic procedures performed in seven patients: two adrenalectomies for hyperaldosteronism, one adrenalectomy for isolated metastasis from an adenocarcinoma of the lung; two nephrectomies for end-stage infected hydronephrosis, two partial nephrectomies for small circumscribed lesions of the kidney, and one endoscopic resection for pain relief of a voluminous cyst at the kidney. The approach was transperitoneal in two cases and retroperitoneal in five cases using the retropneumoperitoneum insufflation technique. One patient was operated by a combined approach using the retro- and transperitoneal routes. All procedures were successfully completed endoscopically. The retroperitoneoscopic approach of the kidney is safe and does not interfere with the peritoneal organs. Its working space is tenuous, but allows a direct access on the kidney with good exposure of its pedicle. For adrenal surgery, the retroperitoneoscopic dissection is more difficult, because movements of instruments are often impaired by the closeness of the costal margin and the iliac crest. However, in case of difficulties we found it very convenient to switch from a retroperitoneal endoscopic approach to a combined coelioscopic and retroperitoneoscopic operation. Far from excluding each other, both approaches are complementary, particularly for difficult situations (i.e., previous peritoneal or retroperitoneal surgery).     

Recurrent, multiple, calcified soft tissue metastases from osteogenic sarcoma without pulmonary involvement

Osteosarcoma (osteogenic sarcoma) metastasizes primarily to the lung. With the introduction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy as part of the treatment, the overall and disease-free survival rates have dramatically improved. In this case report, a young man with multiple soft tissue and bone metastases, including a rare large bone-forming retroperitoneal metastasis, is described. Despite the extensive extrapulmonary metastases, the patient did not develop pulmonary metastases in the 4 years following initial presentation of the primary tumour. Received: 16 December 1998 Revision requested: 14 January 1999 Revision received: 30 July 1999 Accepted: 1 August 1999     

Die dorsoposteriore extraperitoneale Pelviskopie (DEP) Vom Experiment zur ersten klinischen Anwendung

BACKGROUND: Dorsoposterior and/or perineal access to pelvic connective tissue spaces has lost its importance due to improved transabdominal techniques. Because of the development of minimally invasive surgery towards "soft-tissue endoscopy" we were interested in whether the video-assisted technique could give new impetus to the perineal approach. Successful experiments on corpses were followed by the first clinical application. METHODS: After the dilation of the retrorectal, rectovaginal and rectoprostatical spaces with a dissecting balloon, pneumoextraperitoneum was established and all extraperitoneal structures of the pelvis could be dissected. RESULTS: In the experimental and in the clinical situation the spaces could be perfectly surveyed. EXPERIMENTALLY: Complete, circular preparation of the rectum was achieved. Parts of the bladder, vagina and prostate were visualized ventrally. Laterally both ureters and the paraproctal and iliacal vessels could be dissected. In the clinical application the retrorectal space could be dilated without problems and it could be rinsed and drained. Postoperatively no complications were recorded. The patient could be discharged on the 17th postoperative day. CONCLUSION: The described method is suitable for clinical use. Besides the described indication, further surgical applications exists.     

Primary seminoma of the retroperitoneum

A rare case of primary seminoma in the retroperitoneum is described. Ultrasound detected a huge hypoechoic mass and correlative computed tomography showed a midline, homogeneous, lobulated mass in a man who presented for anuria. Received: 1 April 1999; Revised: 28 June 1999; Accepted: 27 July 1999     

Technical aspects and access devices for preperitoneal and retroperitoneal endoscopic surgery

The main advantages of preperitoneal and retroperitoneal endoscopic surgery over conventional laparoscopy or open surgery are the decreased risk of injury to organs and reduced postoperative adhesion formation. Exact knowledge of anatomy, as well as correct positioning of the patient, is essential for its success. While a blunt dissection technique, using either the fingers or an endoscope under pneumodissection, is preferred for preperitoneal surgery, the introduction of a balloon dissection device directly into the retroperitoneal cavity simplifies this procedure for retroperitoneoscopy. Different general surgical procedures are described for preperitoneal (hernia) and retroperitoneal (adrenalectomy, neurectomy/ sympathectomy) surgery. Urological/gynaecological procedures (kidney, tumor biopsy, lymphadenectomy) are excluded from this review. In recent years, the number of possible preperitoneal and retroperitoneal surgical procedures has increased, mainly as a result of the development of commercially-available balloon trocars and balloon-tipped trocars, which create and maintain a working space.     

Surgical management of isolated retroperitoneal recurrences of colorectal carcinoma

PURPOSE: Isolated locoregional disease accounts for approximately 20 percent of recurrences after treatment for colorectal cancer. It has been suggested that complete resection of these recurrences can result in increased survival. The value of surgery for isolated retroperitoneal recurrences has not been well defined. We have sought to characterize outcome and survival in patients undergoing resection for isolated retroperitoneal recurrences of colorectal cancer. METHODS: From a prospective database, 25 patients were identified as having undergone surgical exploration with curative intent for isolated retroperitoneal recurrences of colorectal cancer between 1988 and 1999. Variables studied included age, gender, location and size of the tumor, extent of resection, disease-free interval, and morbidity and mortality. Statistical analyses were performed using the log-rank test and Kaplan-Meier estimates, with overall survival as the primary end point. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 25 patients (13 males), with a median age of 55 years and a median follow-up of 29 (range, 1–151) months. The median time to first retroperitoneal recurrence was 23 (range, 3–72) months. Twenty patients underwent resection, whereas five patients were deemed unresectable at the time of operation. The median survival in patients who underwent resection patients was 31 months compared with 3 months in those patients who did not undergo resection (P = 0.0001). Analysis of the entire group demonstrated a disease-free interval of greater than 24 months to be a positive predictor of outcome (median survival, 30 vs. 48 months; P = 0.02). For patients undergoing resection, the presence of positive margins (P = 0.01) and tumor size 5 cm (P = 0.008) predicted a worse prognosis. In patients who underwent resection, the two-year and five-year overall survival rates were 60 and 15 percent, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with isolated retroperitoneal recurrences of colorectal cancer generally have a poor prognosis. However, a longer disease-free interval, complete negative-margin resection, and smaller tumor size are associated with long-term survival in selected patients.     

An unusual case of glandular schwannoma

Glandular differentiation is exceedingly rare in peripheral nerve sheath tumors. In this report, an exceptional case of retroperitoneal glandular schwannoma is described in which the glandular element is markedly atypical, whereas the schwannian component is benign by morphologic analysis. To the best of our knowledge, the biologic behavior for such a lesion is unknown because similar cases have not yet been described in the literature.     

Free Communications

Ovarian-type mucinous tumours occur very rarely in the retroperitoneum. We present a case of primary retroperitoneal mucinous tumour of borderline malignancy in a 58-year-old woman, detected as an incidental finding. The patient presented with acute renal failure, investigation for which revealed a complex pelvic mass initially thought to be in the right adnexa and consistent with an ovarian neoplasm. Surgical findings revealed a 130-mm, right-sided non-communicating retroperitoneal pelvic mass, posterior to the appendix, which was completely resected. Both ovaries were normal. Macroscopically, it was a multi-loculated cystic structure with a smooth external surface containing clear and mucinous fluid. Microscopic examination showed a mucinous tumour of borderline malignancy. The literature contains approximately nine other cases of primary mucinous retroperitoneal tumour of borderline malignancy. These cases have occurred in women aged 36–60 years. Most patients were asymptomatic and the mass was detected as an incidental finding. The patients have been followed up for up to 6 to 18 months and, to date, none have recurred. There are limitations to pre-operative radiological imaging. A definitive diagnosis can only be made after complete surgical excision and histological examination, having excluded retroperitoneal involvement by mucinous tumours from sites such the ovaries, bowel, appendix and pancreas.     

Primary hydatid cyst of the retroperitoneum

Retroperitoneal contamination may occur during the natural history of hydatid disease. Primary hydatid cyst of the retroperitoneum is extremely rare. The authors report a case of a giant retroperitoneal hydatid cyst. Clinicians and surgeons must be aware of this possibility and follow a policy of nonsystematic puncture of an abdominal cyst and avoid spillage during surgery. Symptoms are related to the size, location, or ensuing complications of a cyst. Its occurrence should be strongly suspected ahead of any abdominal cyst, especially in an endemic area, where it may act as a parasite. Total and careful surgical excision is the gold-standard therapy.     

Duodenal perforation in childhood dermatomyositis

Perforation of the duodenum is an uncommon, but serious complication which may occur in children with dermatomyositis. In this disease vasculitis may involve the bowel to a variable extent and result in radiologic manifestations of intestinal injury ranging from benign pneumatosis intestinalis to signs of bowel perforation. We report two children with dermatomyositis in whom perforation of the second portion of the duodenum occurred. This serious complication should be considered in any child with dermatomyositis when extraluminal gas is suspected on abdominal radiographs.