Significance of the intact of the fascia propria in protection of pelvic plexus during total mesorectal excision / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the gold standard of surgical treatment for mid and low rectal cancer. It aims to improve the oncological outcomes as well as preserve anal sphincter, sexual and urinary function. Compared with sympathetic nerve injury alone, pelvic plexus and neurovascular bundle (NVB) injury has significant effect on postoperative sexual dysfunction, especially erectile function. Since the lateral surgical plane of TME is narrow and densely packed, dissecting outside the plane causes pelvic plexus injury, while dissecting inside it results in residual mesorectum. In this commentary, we review the research progress of lateral fascial anatomy of TME, and describe the anatomical characteristics of rectosacral fascia based on our previous research results. The prehypogastric fascia acts as a "fascia barrier" when dissecting the lateral space constantly from posterior to anterior. In addition, the pelvic plexus fuses with the prehypogastric fascia which is considered as the outer side layer of rectosacral fascia laterally. Thus, the rectosacral fascia should be dissected at the level of S4 vertebral body posterior to the rectum in an arc shape and then enter the superior-levator space. Before dissecting the lateral spaces, the anterior space of the rectum should be dissected first. After an "U" shape cutting of the Denonvilliers' fascia, the lateral space should be dissected from anterior to posterior. Finally, the lateral attachment of rectosacral fascia is transected to ensure the integrity of the mesorectum without damaging the pelvic plexus.

Anatomic Basis of Sharp Pelvic Dissection for Total Mesorectal Excision with Pelvic Autonomic Nerve Preservation for Rectal Cancer

Optimal goals of rectal cancer surgical treatment should include appropriate local control, higher survival rates, scrupulous operation procedures and good quality of life with maintained sexual and voiding function through the conservation of anal sphincter. Complete surgical removal of rectal cancer mass and adjacent lymph nodes in en-bloc package decreases the risk of local recurrence. Furthermore heightened awareness of better surgical techniques has created much interest in the anatomy involved in total mesorectal excision (TME), with particular focus on the fascial planes, nerve plexuses and their relationship to the surgical planes of excision. Total mesorectal excision focuses on several technical components and the quality of operated specimen. Sharp anatomic pelvic dissection along the visceral pelvic fascia must avoid any breach from the mesorectum haboring metastatic tumor deposits and lymph nodes. Also any coning down or blunt dissection should not be allowed. The rectal cancer mass and its surrounding mesorectum must be removed as one complete unit. Circumferential and distal resection margin must be also adequately obtained. Such sharp pelvic dissection instead of blunt dissection requires precised knowledge of the pelvic anatomy. Studying the hemisected cadevaric pelvis shows a clear relationship between the fascia and rectum. Also pelvic autonomic nerves can be saved to preserve the patient's sexual and voiding functions. Therefore the clincial importances of anatomical structures must be emphasized at each step of surgery. Upon such understanding of techniques, TME was performed in rectal cancer patients routinely and was able to obtain fair oncologic results and improved quality of life regarding sexual and voiding functions.