Laparoscopic partial cystectomy for symptomatic paraganglioma of the urinary bladder: A case report

Abstract

Paragangliomas of the bladder are uncommon neuroendocrine neoplasms. Open partial cystectomy is usually performed because all layers of the bladder are involved. In this case, we used laparoscopic partial cystectomy to minimize surgical morbidity of the transabdominal approach. A 43-year-old female presented with symptomatic paraganglioma of the bladder. The patient was pretreated with alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockers before surgery. A 4-port technique was performed with the patient in the Trendelenburg lithotomy position. The bladder mass was excised with a rim of normal mucosa under both cystoscopic and laparoscopic vision. Total operative time was 170 minutes and blood loss was < 100 mL. The patient's intraoperative blood pressure remained stable. The final histology showed a 6 cm paraganglioma with clear resection margins. Laparoscopic partial cystectomy is feasible for excising a symptomatic paraganglioma with adequate preoperative adrenergic blockage to prevent a hypertensive crisis during resection. © 2011 UroToday International Journal/Vol 4/Iss 1/February.