Surgical outcomes after reoperation for patients with recurrent presacral tumors: a retrospective study

Background Relevant reports on the surgical resection and prognosis of recurrent presacral tumors are limited. The objective of this study was to explore the outcomes associated with surgical resection of recurrent presacral tumors. Methods The data of patients with recurrent presacral tumors who received surgical resection in our hospital between June 2009 and November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Thirty-one patients, comprising 22 females and 9 males, with recurrent presacral lesions were included in our study. A posterior approach was utilized in 27 patients, an anterior approach in 1 patient, and a combined approach in 3 patients. Intraoperative complications occurred in 13 patients (41.9%), while postoperative complications occurred in 6 patients (19.4%). The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in patients who underwent the posterior approach compared to those who underwent the anterior and combined approaches ( P = 0.002). The operative time for the posterior approach was significantly shorter compared to both the anterior and combined approaches ( P = 0.006). Temporary tamponade was performed for hemostasis in 4 patients, while staged resection was performed in 2 patients during the surgical treatment process. After a median follow-up period of 115.5 months, 5 patients with recurrent malignant presacral tumors succumbed to tumor recurrence after reoperation in our hospital. Conclusions Surgical resection remains the mainstream treatment for recurrent presacral tumors. The outcomes for recurrent benign presacral tumors after surgery demonstrate favorable results, whereas further enhancements are required to improve the outcomes for recurrent malignant presacral tumors after surgery.