Robotic Resection of Huge Presacral Tumors

Abstract

Clinical case series and analysis. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of robotic presacral tumor resection compared with conventional open approach. Conventional open approach for huge presacral tumors in the retroperitoneal space often demands excessive hospitalization and poor cosmesis. Furthermore, narrow surgical field sometimes interrupt delicate procedures. Nine patients with huge (diameter >10 cm) presacral tumors underwent surgery. Five patients among them had robotic procedure and the others had open transperitoneal tumor resection. Operation time, blood loss, hospitalization, and complications were analyzed. Robotic presacral tumor resection showed shorter operation time, less bleeding, and shorter hospitalization. Moreover, there was no complication related to abdominal adhesion. Although robotic resection for presacral tumor still has limitations technically and economically, robotic resection for huge presacral tumors demonstrated advantages over open resection specifically for benign neurogenic tumors.