Childhood retroperitoneal teratomas: 5 years of experience in a tertiary-care hospital

Abstract

Background Retroperitoneal teratomas are rare paediatric neoplasms. One should be well versed with the presenting features, relationship with surrounding vital organs and the extent of tumour before operating.
Aim The present study was planned to highlight the presenting symptoms, preoperative investigatory findings, intraoperative findings, follow-up protocol and the surgeons’ experience in handling these huge tumours.
Setting and design This was a retrospective, tertiary-care hospital-based study.
Patients and methods Patients with retroperitoneal teratomas operated between 2010 and 2015 were studied in detail. All the data were collected from case files.
Results During the mentioned period, there were seven patients including four males and three females. There was no side predilection (three right, two midline, one left and one lesser omentum). All the tumours were completely excised, and histopathology confirmed the benign nature in all cases. All patients were followed-up with postoperative ultrasound and were found to be normal.
Conclusion Retroperitoneal teratomas are benign tumours, and complete excision is curative.