Objective This study aimed to explore the experience of secondary excision for retrorectal cystic lesions. Method We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent secondary laparoscopic excision of retrorectal cystic lesions at the Department of General Surgery at our hospital between August 2012 and August 2021. Results Twelve patients [male: 5; female: 7; age: (31.8±11.5) years old (18–60 years old)] were evaluated. The lesions ranged from 5.8 to 15.0 cm in diameter [(10.0±3.5) cm]. Seven patients had epidermoid cysts, three patients had mature teratoma, one patient had mature teratoma with low-grade mucinous neoplasm and one patient had cyst with mucinous carcinoma. Laparoscopic excision of retrorectal cystic lesions was performed in ten patients, and laparoscopy combined transsacrococcygeal approach was performed in two patients. The median operative time was 137.5 min (80–240 min), and the median blood loss was 30 mL (10–200 mL). No patient experienced complications of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲa or worse, one patient experienced complications of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅱa after operation. The mean duration of hospitalization was (5.9±1.4) d (3–7 d). The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 108 months, and the median follow-up time was 43-month, and one patient recurred during the follow-up period. Conclusions Attention should be paid to the initial diagnosis and treatment of retrorectal cystic lesions, particularly in children. Routine evaluation using preoperative pelvic MRI and the adoption of an appropriate surgical approach are recommended to reduce secondary operations. Surgery should be performed by surgeons experienced in rectal andpelvic surgeries.