Abstract

Retroperitoneal schwannomas are rare, usually benign tumours that originate in the peripheral neural sheath. Preoperative diagnosis is often impossible. Few cases of laparoscopic removal of retroperitoneal schwannoma have been reported to date. We aim to report a case of retroperitoneal schwannoma using laparoscopic surgical technique. A 61‐year‐old man was found incidentally a solid retroperitoneal tumour by ultrasound. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic ressonance imaging revealed a well‐defined, heterogeneous tumour, 3 cm in diameter, in pararrenal space close to psoas major. A transperitoneal laparoscopic resection was performed. Operative time was 65 minutes. The patient had an uneventful perioperative course. Histopathological exam revealed a benign schwannoma. No recurrence was detected after 2 years of follow‐up. Preoperative establishment of diagnosis is difficult in case of retroperitoneal schwannomas even with imagiologic or biopsy studies. Complete resection is the diagnosis and treatment of choice. Laparoscopic treatment is minimal invasive, safe and feasible for retroperitoneal schwannomas mainly because these lesions are well limited and hypovascular, allowing a careful dissection from adjacent structures through an improved visualization.