摘要：Background: Gynaecologic pelvic tumours are very common and they can present with a variety of symptomsdepending on their size, location, pathophysiology and histogenesis. Infrequently, some pelvic tumours are foundin the retroperitoneal space presenting with similar symptoms. Our objective is to present our experience andreview of pertinent literature on miscellaneous retroperitoneal tumours.Methods: Four women with retroperitoneal tumours (one schwannoma, one granulosa cell tumour and two hindgut(tail gut) cysts)) were encountered during routine laparoscopy (3 cases) and laparotomy (one case). Followingmultidisciplinary consultation and additional imaging, all tumours were removed by laparotomy with one caseprovoking litigation due to ureteral and bowel injury.Results: Using these four cases, and additional cases from the literature, we highlight the potential pitfalls andprovide an algorithm to minimize risks and adverse clinical and legal outcomes associated with unexpectedretroperitoneal tumours. The algorithm includes resisting the impulse/temptation to remove or biopsy thesetumours, requesting intra-operative consultation(s), obtaining additional detailed imaging to characterizethese tumours, providing appropriate counselling to patients, obtaining informed consent, and consulting theappropriate surgical teams. At times, an interdisciplinary approach may prove to be the best course of action inorder to optimize treatment and ensure patient safety.Conclusion: If a retroperitoneal tumour is unexpectedly encountered, it is imperative to have intra-operativeconsultation (if available), to not attempt excision or biopsy, and to subsequently obtain post-operativemultidisciplinary consultations, specific imaging, and information gathering in order to treat these heterogeneousmasses as safely as possible..
