Published online Feb 6, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i4.935
Peer-review started: October 6, 2020
First decision: November 8, 2020
Revised: November 17, 2020
Accepted: December 16, 2020
Article in press: December 16, 2020
Published online: February 6, 2021
Processing time: 110 Days and 19.1 Hours
Primary retroperitoneal tumor is a rare type of tumor with insidious onset, large tumor size at the time of diagnosis, and often extensive involvement of surrounding tissues and blood vessels in the retroperitoneum. Surgery for primary retroperitoneal tumors is technically challenging. Preoperative imaging evaluation is critical for the selection of the optimal surgical approach and can influence complete resection and recurrence rates. Three-dimensional model reconstruction combined with virtual reality is useful for preoperative assessment.
A 17-year-old female patient was admitted for abdominal pain lasting for half a year that had been worsening for half a month. Abdominopelvic enhanced helical computed tomography revealed a retroperitoneal space-occupying lesion about 11.3 cm × 9.1 cm in size, with well-defined borders in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. The lesion compressed the left renal artery and vein resulting in vascular displacement and deformation. A multidisciplinary team decided on the optimal treatment approach. Preoperative three-dimensional visualization and virtual reality technology were used to assess and simulate the surgical procedure. Then, retroperitoneal tumor resection along with renal artery reconstruction was decided as the treatment. Complete resection of the retroperitoneal tumor was performed. Stable blood flow was established after renal artery reconstruction. The tumor was diagnosed as mature cystic teratoma (retroperitoneal tumor) by postoperative pathologic analysis. The patient, who recovered well, was discharged after 2 wk and maintains regular follow-ups.
A combination of three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual reality technology before surgery improves the rate of complete resection of retroperitoneal teratoma.
Core Tip: Primary retroperitoneal tumors are a rare type of tumor. In this case report, we describe a patient with a giant retroperitoneal tumor who was preoperatively assessed using a combination of three-dimensional reconstruction and virtual reality technology. Complete removal of the tumor was performed, and there were no complications. The combination of these technologies provides a tool for simulating the operation, which can shorten the operation time, decrease the amount of bleeding, and improve the rate of complete tumor resection.