[Surgical methods in the treatment of retroperitoneal neuroblastoma]

The authors submit their experience with the surgical treatment of retroperitoneal neuroblastoma, which is one of the most frequent solid tumours of child age. They describe the principles of the surgical technique with emphasis on radical removal of the tumour even in the area of large blood vessels. They emphasize the advantage of using an ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA, Valleylab Co., Pfizer) which makes it possible to remove residues of the tumour without damaging the large blood vessels. During the period between 1987-1992 they treated at the Motol Faculty Hospital 69 children with retroperitoneal neuroblastoma. Of these 60 were operated. In the first stage of the disease 9 patients were operated, all survive. In the second stage 4 patients were operated, 75% survive, in the third stage 24 patients 50% survive, in the fourth stage 20 of 29 patients were operated and 11 (38%) survive. In stage IV--S three patients were operated, one survives. The total survival of patients during the investigation period is 52%.