Surgical treatment for pelvic lipomatosis using a bladder-sparing technique: A STROBE-compliant study

The aim of this study was to report the experience and long-term efficacy of a novel surgical treatment for pelvic lipomatosis (PL) using a combination of pelvic fat mass extirpation and ureteral reimplantation. Data of 8 patients with PL who underwent pelvic fat mass extirpation and ureteral reimplantation at our hospital from September 2010 to March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics, serum creatinine level, radiographic changes, perioperative complications, and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated. Surgeries were performed successfully without severe perioperative complications in all 8 patients. Median operating time was 150 minutes with a median estimated blood loss of 75 mL. Patients were discharged after a median of 8.5 postoperative days. Imaging studies at the first follow-up revealed varying extents of alleviation of hydronephrosis and 3 patients’ urinary symptoms were gradually relieved after surgery. During a median follow-up of 48.5 months (range, 10–100 months), all patients exhibited excellent surgical outcomes without evidence of disease progression, except 1 patient who underwent radical cystectomy with Bricker ileal conduit surgery due to hydronephrosis recurrence in the 49th postoperative month. Based on these cases, pelvic fat mass extirpation and ureteral reimplantation is a safe and effective surgical treatment for PL.