A team of surgeons at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (Jipmer) successfully removed a giant retroperitoneal tumour from a 34-year-old woman using laparoscopic transabdominal ‘kidney flip’ technique.The excised tumour measured approximately 15 x 10 x 8 cm and is said to be the largest retroperitoneal tumour removed laparoscopically using the kidney flip technique.According to a press note, the patient approached Jipmer recently, with complaints of generalised body swelling, nausea, and vomiting. Evaluation revealed a large tumour containing fat and dense calcifications, with significant displacement of the right kidney.A team of doctors led by Raj Kumar Nagarajan, professor, Department of Surgery, along with Vimal Raju (senior resident), Venkatesh (junior resident) and an anaesthesia team led by Sathya Prakash perfomed the surgical procedure.During the procedure, the tumour was found to be displacing the right kidney, right colon, and liver. To facilitate safe dissection and to preserve the kidney, the surgical team carefully mobilised the right kidney along with its associated blood vessels and ureter, separating it from the tumour.The kidney was then temporarily rotated, or “flipped”, towards the left side, creating improved access and visualisation of the otherwise difficult-to-reach retroperitoneal tumour. This enabled the surgeons to meticulously dissect and completely excise the mass while preserving the kidney.The team successfully completed the entire procedure laparoscopically, thereby avoiding conventional open surgery for the large tumour. The patient was successfully extubated and her postoperative recovery was uneventful. Published - August 25, 2026 07:41 pm IST