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. 2011:4:203-8.
doi: 10.2147/OTT.S25271. Epub 2011 Nov 30.

Surgical management of retrorectal tumors: a retrospective study of a 9-year experience in a single institution

Caizhao Lin  1 , Ketao Jin, Huanrong Lan, Lisong Teng, Jianjiang Lin, Wenbin Chen
Affiliations

Surgical management of retrorectal tumors: a retrospective study of a 9-year experience in a single institution

Caizhao Lin et al. Onco Targets Ther. 2011.

Abstract

Background: The relative rarity and anatomical position of retrorectal tumors may lead to difficulty in diagnosis and surgical management.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of 62 patients who had resection of retrorectal tumors between 2002 and 2010.

Results: All patients in this study were treated by excision of the retrorectal tumors. Surgical approach included transsacral approach (52 cases), transabdominal approach (eight cases), and combined approach (two cases). A total of 48 benign lesions (77.4%) and 14 malignant lesions (22.6%) were confirmed by histological examination. The 48 benign cases included dermoid cysts (17 cases), simple cysts (eight cases), teratomas (eight cases), neurofibromas (eight cases), fibrolipomas (four cases), neurilemmomas (two cases), and synovioma (one case). The 14 malignant cases included lymphomas (four cases), malignant teratomas (three cases), fibrosarcomas (two cases), interstitialomas (four cases) and malignant mesothelioma (one case). Complications occurred in 14.5% of patients and included intraoperative bleeding (three cases), rectal injury (three cases), and presacral infection (three cases).

Conclusion: Primary retrorectal tumors are very rare. Successful treatment of these tumors requires extensive knowledge of pelvic anatomy and expertise in pelvic surgery.

Keywords: retrorectal space; retrorectal tumor; surgical treatment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Computed tomographic image of neurolemmoma.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Magnetic resonance imaging images of dermoid cyst (A) and fibrosarcoma (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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