Retroperitoneal-first dissection approach at the dorsal space for a huge serous cystic neoplasm of the pancreatic tail: a case report

• Published in: Surgical case reports Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 2
• Main Authors: Nanashima, Atsushi, Takamori, Hiroki, Imamura, Naoya, Tahira, Kousei, Kitamura, Eiji, Hiyoshi, Masahide, Hamada, Takeomi, Tsuchimochi, Yuuki, Komori, Hiroyuki, Kamoto, Toshiyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 03.01.2023; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Abdomen; Case Report; Case reports; Coronary vessels; Dissection; Huge pancreatic neoplasm; Laparotomy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pancreas; Pancreatic cancer; Retroperitoneal dissection; Serous cyst adenoma; Spleen; Surgery; Tumors; Ultrasonic imaging; Huge pancreatic neoplasm; Retroperitoneal dissection; Serous cyst adenoma
• ISSN: 2198-7793; 2198-7793
• DOI: 10.1186/s40792-022-01578-4

Background Large tumors of serous cystic adenomas in the pancreatic body-to-tail severely compress the surrounding organs and retroperitoneal space. Case presentation We present a unique surgical challenge for distal pancreatectomy (DP). We present the case of a patient who had a massive mass lesion measuring more than 20 cm in size that had been misdiagnosed as a retroperitoneal tumor by the previous hospital. However, an expert radiologist at our institute diagnosed serous cystadenoma of the pancreas based on imaging characteristics. We decided to perform retroperitoneal space first dissection using a small incision because we were concerned about tumor infiltration or compressive adhesions in important retroperitoneal vessels. We safely attempted distal pancreatectomy by limiting the laparotomy incision step-by-step while securing the main vascular injury of the retroperitoneum. In addition to the ordinary cooperation with urological surgeons, this technique is referred to by the concept of retroperitoneal procedures for minimally invasive surgery in urology. Conclusions This approach is useful for lifting resected specimens by prior and wide retroperitoneal dissection, which may lead to safety and the prevention of unexpected vascular injury.