Laparoscopic Resection of a 12 cm Sized Retroperitoneal Schwannoma Adjacent to Retroperitoneal Vital Vessels: Are Large Retroperitoneal Schwannomas Not Suitable for the Laparoscopic Approach?

There are a lot of advantages to laparoscopic surgery, including early recovery, less postoperative pain, better cosmesis, shorter hospital stay and an early return to normal activities because of its minimal invasiveness. So, most surgeons have agreed on these points and have accepted the various indications for laparoscopic surgery. Despite these advantages and the recent advances in laparoscopic surgery, there are few cases using the laparoscopic approach for treating retroperitoneal schwannomas. Laparoscopic resection of a large retroperitoneal schwannoma has some difficulties for tumor retraction, dissecting around the large vessels, and removal of the resected tumor. Sometimes these difficulties may cause complications and a lengthened hospital stay. However, if appropriate methods are used, long hospital stay and complication can be prevented while maintaining the advantages of laparoscopic surgery. (J Korean Surg Soc 2010;78:253-257)