Laparoscopic Resection of a Huge Retrorectal Tumor

ABSTRACT

Retrorectal space tumors are rare, and so are frequently unrecognized, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. A 57-year-old man visited the outpatient clinic with the chief complaints of thin stool and lower pelvic heaviness. A smooth, round huge palpable mass on the right posterolateral rectal wall was detected and pelvic computed tomography showed a 7.8-cm cystic lesion in the right retrorectal space. Laparoscopic procedures were initiated with perirectal dissection for rectal mobilization. After fixation of the peritoneum and tying the rectum for intracorporeal traction, the rectum was mobilized to identify the cyst. The cyst was removed using an endo-bag, with completion of cyst dissection. The final pathologic diagnosis was a tailgut cyst, or retrorectal cystic hamartoma without evidence of malignancy. The patient was discharged without any complications. The patient had no dyschezia or problems with bowel function. Laparoscopic resection is a safe and feasible method for surgical treatment, even for bulky retrorectal tumors, with an early recovery period.