Retrospective analysis of robot‐assisted laparoscopic transabdominal anterior approach for the treatment of lumbar paravertebral schwannoma

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The main objective of this study was to investigate the impact of robot-assisted laparoscopic resection on paravertebral tumours using the anterior peritoneal approach. METHODS: A retrospective analysis to identify patients with paravertebral tumours. A total of 21 patients, who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic transabdominal anterior approach surgery from March 2012 to August 2020. RESULTS: The median operation time was 66.2 ± 14.5 min, with a range of 0-100 min. Intraoperative blood loss was minimal, with a median of 11.4 ± 7.9 mL and a range of 5-30 mL. The median tumour length was 4.8 ± 2.3 cm, ranging from 2.1 to 11.3 cm. Postoperative hospitalisation lasted for a median of 3.2 ± 0.9 days. During the 48-month follow-up period, no tumour recurrence or residual was observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted laparoscopic resection of lumbar paravertebral schwannoma proved to be a safe and viable surgical approach. It offers a relatively new treatment option for paraspinal schwannoma.