How to treat retrorectal cysts or tumors in adult.

See Article on Page 303-314

Retrorectal or presacral tumors are rare and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. Because the retrorectal space contains multiple embryologic remnants derived from various tissues, the tumors that develop in this space are heterogeneous. Lesions are classified as congenital, neurogenic, osseous, inflammatory, or miscellaneous. The diagnosis is not difficult if one uses abdomenpelvis computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The cases become difficult to treat when the patient has had a previous operation such as drainage of its content under the diagnosis of an anal fistula or sinus. Although treatment depends on diagnosis and anatomic location, most retrorectal lesions require surgical resection. Most lesions are benign, but malignant neoplasms are not uncommon. Thus, we should consider the bias in the article in terms of the retrorectal cyst being benign. When removal of the retrorectal mass is to be attempted, a frozen pathologic examination is mandatory.

Waldeyer's facia, which is a good landmark for surgery, divides the retrorectal space into inferior and superior compartments. There are no nerves, blood vessels or lymphatics within two leaves.

The operative approach is determined on digital examination and radiologic findings. When the examiner's finger cannot palpate the upper edge of the tumor, removing the cyst by only using a posterior approach is difficult. Levator muscles should be closed with sutures in cases of posterior approaches.