The aim of this study was to evaluate the advantages and complications of endosurgical procedures for benign and malignant pediatric solid
tumors. Endosurgical techniques of biopsy and excision were used for diagnosis and treatment of solid
tumors, respectively. Since July 1997, a total of 24 biopsies and 24 excisions have been performed laparoscopically for
neuroblastoma ( n=24), ovarian solid
tumors ( n=10) and other
tumors. Seventeen biopsies and six excisions were performed for abdominal
neuroblastoma, while ten excisions were performed for ovarian
tumor. In these patients, the length of the operation, blood loss, time to start postoperative feeding, time to start postoperative
chemotherapy and length of
hospital stay were evaluated and compared to the those of the open surgery group. Furthermore, intra- and postoperative complications were analyzed in all patients of both groups. The length of the
hospital stay and time to start postoperative feeding were significantly shorter in the group of patients who underwent endosurgical procedures for either abdominal
neuroblastoma or ovarian
tumor when compared to the open procedure group. The time to start postoperative
chemotherapy was shorter only in the abdominal
neuroblastoma group. The procedure for two patients undergoing endosurgical
tumor excision had to be converted to open surgery due to large
tumor size. Two weeks after thoracoscopic excision of a dumb bell-type
neurofibroma, one patient underwent open repair of the dura mater because of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. There were no port-site recurrences in any
tumor types. Endosurgical procedures for solid
tumors are effective and minimally invasive. However, better indicators are needed for their implementation in order to prevent complications and subsequent conversions to open procedures.