Mucinous cystadenoma of the retroperitoneum, laparoscopy or an open approach? Two case reports and review of the literature

Big cystic lesions of the retroperitoneum are rare entities. Most of the cases involved females of reproductive age and were related to ovarian structures. The recommended treatment is surgery, and more than 90% of the reported cases were resected in an open midline abdominal incision. We present two patients who were referred to our clinic due to abdominal mass that was causing vague abdominal pain. Homogenic retroperitoneal cystic mass was demonstrated on computerized tomography (CT). One was resected by laparoscopy and the other by laparotomy, both revealed a mucinous cystadenoma of the retroperitoneum. A review of the literature is also presented.