Retrorectal tumors: excision by transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

Tumours within the retrorectal space are uncommon. Due to their rarity and diverse symptoms they are often misdiagnosed or mistreated. We report three cases of women presenting a variety of symptoms including increased rectal pain, recurrent abscesses/fistulas and constipation. Upon clinical examination and further investigations using MR scan, endorectal ultrasound and endoscopy, a retrorectal mass was suspected in all three cases. In order to achieve a complete excision of the tumor while minimizing trauma, transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) was performed. The histology of the multicystic tumor revealed in all three cases a tailgut cyst. As far as we know this is the first report describing the use of TEM for surgical treatment of tumors located in the retrorectal space.