Retrolaparoscopic adrenalectomy assisted by three-dimensional reconstructed digital model in a patient with situs inversus totalis

BACKGROUND: Situs inversus totalis is a relatively rare congenital anomaly. Performing the retrolaparoscopic adrenalectomy for the patient with situs inversus totalis is a skill-demanding and challenging surgical task, which has been even more rarely reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case with a large right adrenal mass (10.2 × 9.4 × 7.9 cm) complicated by situs inversus totalis. This 59-year-old female patient underwent the retrolaparoscopic adrenalectomy in our department. In order to facilitate the surgical orientation and improve the manipulating accuracy, the data from computed tomography images was extracted and the three-dimensional digital model was reconstructed. Under the assistance of preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation by the three-dimensional digital model, the retrolaparoscopic adrenalectomy was technically precise and successful. The targeted adrenal tumor was excised completely with final pathological diagnosis of adrenocortical adenoma. CONCLUSIONS: Retrolaparoscopic adrenalectomy can be performed safely in patients with situs inversus totalis. The assistance of preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation by the reconstructed three-dimensional digital model can facilitate the operation and lead to more precise vessel manipulation and accurate excision of tumor that is both effective and safe. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (10.1186/s12957-018-1473-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.