Combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach to remove a large retroperitoneal compound paraganglioma: A case report

BACKGROUND: Paragangliomas (PGLs) are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors, which often present with secondary hypertension. The most common location is the retroperitoneal space. For the first time, we report a rare case of large retroperitoneal compound PGL, and we have innovatively applied a new surgical plan to completely remove the tumor. CASE SUMMARY: A 55-year-old middle-aged man was admitted to the hospital for fluctuating blood pressure for more than 1 year with intermittent headache. He suffered dozens of attacks every day. Blood and urine catecholamines were elevated, somatostatin receptor imaging was positive, and the diagnosis of PGL was clear. The imaging examination revealed a large tumor on the right front of the mediastinal spine at the level of T10-L1 (the posterior space of the right phrenic foot). For the first time in our department, a combined thoracoscopic and laparoscopic operation was used to detect and remove large tumors. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of using a thoracoscopic and laparoscopic approach simultaneously to remove a large retroperitoneal compound PGL, which may provide a new surgical approach for similar cases.