Portsite recurrence after laparoscopy for staging of retroperitoneal sarcoma

A 40-year-old woman underwent diagnostic and staging laparoscopy for a 12 cm retroperitoneal tumor, during which large-core biopsy was performed, which revealed an intermediate-grade leiomyosarcoma. Subsequent open resection (with en bloc resection of pancreatic tail and left kidney) was performed in a specialist unit. Complete tumor clearance was obtained with negative microscopic margins. Nine months later a laparoscopic portsite recurrence was detected clinically and confirmed histologically at resection. Laparoscopy is an unnecessary and inappropriate investigation in retroperitoneal soft-tissue sarcoma.