Laser treatment of retroperitoneal lymphangiomas in children

Retroperitoneal Lymphangiomas are rare tumor-like lesions, predominantly found in the new-born period and pediatric age. They are always benign. About 1 percent of Lymphangiomas arise in the retroperitoneal space. Until now surgical excision was the only consistently effective method. Compete excision of the tumor is in more than a half of the cases not possible, and the rate of occurrences is about 50 percent. Because of this background new therapeutic methods were sought. In 1986 we have introduced the interstitial laser therapy in the treatment of the Lymphangiomas and treated more than 200 cases, 10 of them were located in the retroperitoneum. Technique and results are discussed.