Introduction:
Few reports detail adequate surgical management of giant pelvic tumors that traverse the sciatic foramen.
Presentation of case:
We present a case of a giant retroperitoneal pelvic lipoma that presented with a dumbbell shape on imaging, occupying the entire lesser pelvis and protruding to the gluteus through the sciatic foramen. Surgery was performed for en bloc resection of the tumor.
Discussion:
A parasacral approach with the patient in the prone position was necessary to dissect the tumor in the buttock, manipulate around the sciatic foramen and preserve collateral blood flow for the gluteal muscle. An abdominal approach was also essential to ligate the internal iliac vessels involved in the tumor. Accordingly changings the position of the patient during the operation were required. Division of the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments and packing of the soft tumor into a plastic bag were useful to pass the buttock portion through the foramen without the tumor breaking off.
Conclusion:
The asynchronous abdomino-parasacral approach with several turnings of the patient's body and plastic bag packing of the tumor were advantageous to manage en bloc resection of the giant pelvic lipoma presented in this case study.