Anatomy of the lower hypogastric plexus applied to endometriosis: a narrative review

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of the present study is to evaluate the anatomy of the inferior hypogastric plexus, correlating it with urological pathologies, imaging exams and surgeries of the female pelvis, especially for treatment of endometriosis. Material and Methods We carried out a review about the anatomy of the inferior hypogastric plexus in the female pelvis. We analyzed papers published in the past 20 years in the databases of Pubmed, Embase and Scielo, and we included only papers in English and excluded case reports, editorials, and opinions of specialists. We also studied two human fixed female corpses and microsurgical dissection material with a stereoscopic magnifying glass with 2.5x magnification. Results Classical anatomical studies provide few details of the morphology of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) or the location and nature of the associated nerves. The fusion of pelvic splanchnic nerves, sacral splanchnic nerves, and superior hypogastric plexus together with visceral afferent fibers form the IHP. The surgeon's precise knowledge of the anatomical relationship between the hypogastric nerve and the uterosacral ligament is essential to reduce the risk of complications and postoperative morbidity of patients surgically treated for deep infiltrative endometriosis involving the uterosacral ligament. Conclusion Accurate knowledge of the innervation of the female pelvis is of fundamental importance for prevention of possible injuries and voiding dysfunctions as well as the evacuation mechanism in the postoperative period. Imaging exams such as nuclear magnetic resonance are interesting tools for more accurate visualization of the distribution of the hypogastric plexus in the female pelvis.

Relaciones entre las fascias endopelvianas y el plexo hipogástrico inferior / Relationship between the endopelvic fascia and the inferior hypogastric plexus

El Plexo Hipogástrico Inferior (PHI) es un plexo difícil de definir y disecar, de allí la facilidad con que puede lesionarse tanto en la investigación anatómica como quirúrgica. Definir sus relaciones, con respecto a las fascias endopelvianas (FEP), incluyendo su formación y sus ramos, (Baader et al., 2003, p. 129)facilitaría su disección. Esta investigación anatómica pretende estandarizar Se utilizó material cadavérico perteneciente a la Tercera Cátedra de Anatomía de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad de Buenos Aires. Se disecaron un bloque de órganos de cadáver adulto formolizado (n=1) y diecisiete (n = 17) hemipelvis: cinco (n = 5) hemipelvis masculinas adultas formolizadas, nueve (n = 9) hemipelvis fetales formalizadas (7 masculinos y 2 femeninas), entre 18 y 36 semanas de edad gestacional calculada por la longitud femoral y tres (n = 3) hemipelvis adultas de cadáveres frescos, dos (n = 2) femeninas y un (n = 1) masculino. Se utilizaron elementos de microdisección y lupas.Pudimos distinguir tres sectores diferentes: el primero, preplexual, ubicado posterior y lateralmente a la FEP, donde los componentes simpáticos (nervios hipogástricos) y los parasimpáticos (nervios esplácnicos pélvicos) aún no han confluido para su formación. Un segundo sector, plexual, con el plexo ya completamente formado, ubicado en el espesor de la FEP. Por último, su porción terminal, ya desprovisto de la FEP, formado por nervios que se dirigen a la membrana perineal acompañados por vasos arteriales y venosos. Cada uno de estos sectores requiere distinto abordaje tanto en la disección anatómica como quirúrgica.

The Inferior Hypogastric Plexus (PHI) is a difficult plexus to define and dissect, hence the ease with which it can be injured both in anatomical and surgical research. Defining its relationships, with respect to the endopelvic fascia (FEP), including its formation and branches, (Baader et al., 2003, p. 129) would facilitate their dissection. This anatomical investigation aims to standardize different portions that require a different approach to preserve their integrity.Cadaveric material belonging to the Third Chair of Anatomy of the School of Medicine, Buenos Aires University was used. One (n=1) formolized male adult organ block and seventeen (n=17) hemipelvis were dissected: five (n=5) adult male hemipelvis formolized, nine (n=9) fetal hemipelvis formolized (7 male and 2 female), between 18 and 36 weeks of gestational age calculated by femoral length, and three (n=3) adult hemipelvis from fresh cadavers, two (n=2) female and one (n=1) male. Microdissection elements and magnifying glasses were used. We were able to distinguish three different sectors: the first, preplexual, located posterior and lateral to the FEP, where the sympathetic components (hypogastric nerves) and the parasympathetic (pelvic splanchnic nerves) have not yet converged to form the plexus. A second sector, plexual, with the plexus already fully formed, located in the thickness of the FEP. Finally, its terminal portion, already devoid of the FEP, formed by nerves that go to the perineal membrane accompanied by arterial and venous vessels. Each of these sectors requires a different approach in both anatomical and surgical dissection.

Effectiveness of the superior hypogastric plexus neurolytic block in the management of pelvic abdominal pain in adult patients diagnosed with cancer: A systematic literature review / Efectividad del bloqueo neurolítico del plexo hipogástrico superior en el manejo del dolor abdominopélvico en pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de cáncer. Revisión sistemática de la literatura

INTRODUCTION: Severe oncological pain occurs in up to 60% of pelvic abdominal cáncer patients, being refractory to medical management in up to 30% of cases. In 1990, the superior hypogastric plexus neurolytic block (SHPB) was described for the control of pain in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique for the control of oncological pain. METHODOLY: Studies that evaluated the effectiveness of the SHPB using the classic or transdiscal approach in adult patients with oncological abdominal-pelvic pain were systematically reviewed. A search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus from January 1, 1990, to August 31, 2019, without a language restriction. The visual analog scale (VAS), morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day, quality of life and presence of complications were recorded. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Jadad and Ottawa-Newcastle scales. RESULTS: Eight studies met the inclusión criteria: 6 were descriptivo longitudinal studies, and 2 were controlled clinical trials, comprising 316 patients (75% female and 25% male; average age 53.2 years); the most frequent diagnoses were gynecological (65%) cancer. An average VAS reduction of 55%-60.8% was obtained as well as a MME reduction of 40%-60%. Three studies evaluated the quality of life using the (QLQ-C30), (PSS) and Zubrod scale all with positive results. Complications were reported in 18% of cases, pain related to the puncture was the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: The SHPB may be an effective for the control of severe oncological abdominal-pelvic pain, decreasing the VAS and MME and improving the quality of life of patients.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El dolor oncológico severo se presenta hasta en el 60% de los pacientes con cáncer abdominopélvico, siendo refractario al manejo médico hasta en el 30% de los casos. En 1990, se describió el bloqueo del plexo hipogástrico superior (BPHS) para el control de dolor en estos pacientes. Nuestro objetivo en este estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de esta técnica. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de estudios que evaluaron la efectividad del BPHS técnicas guiadas por fluoroscopio en pacientes adultos con dolor oncológico abdominopélvico. Se realizó una búsqueda en Pubmed, EMBASE y Scopus desde el 1de enero de 1990 hasta el 31 de agosto de 2019, sin restricción de idioma. Se evaluó la escala visual análoga, el consumo de opioides: dosis equivalente de morfina día, calidad de vida, presencia de complicaciones y se evaluó la calidad de los estudios mediante escalas Jadad y Ottawa- Newcastle. RESULTADOS: Ocho estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, 6 fueron longitudinales descriptivos y 2 ensayos clínicos controlados, con un total de 316 pacientes, 75% femenino y 25% masculino; edad promedio 53,2 años; diagnóstico más frecuente: Cáncer ginecológico (65%). Se logró una reducción de la escala visual análoga (EVA) de 55%-60,8% y reducción de la dosis equivalente de miligramos de morfina oral día (DEMO) del 40%-60%. Tres estudios evaluaron la calidad de vida con las escalas QLQ-C30, PSS y Zubrod, mostrando mejoría en todas. Se reportaron complicaciones en 18% de los casos, siendo el dolor en el sitio de punción la más frecuente.CONCLUSIONES: El BPHS puede ser efectivo en el control de dolor oncológico de origen abdominopélvico, disminuyendo escala visual análoga (EVA), dosis equivalente de miligramos de morfina oral día (DEMO) y mejorando la calidad de vida. Sin embargo, se requieren de estudios adicionales para dar una recomendación con alta calidad de evidencia.

Therapeutic effect of biofeedback stimulation combined with hypogastric plexus blocking on chronic pelvic pain / 实用医学杂志

Objective To study the clinical effect of biofeedback stimulation combined with hypogastric plexus blocking on chronic pelvic pain.Methods Sixty of patients with chronic pelvic pain(CPP)were randomly divided into the biofeedback stimulation group(BF group,n = 20),the continuous abdominal block group(NB group,n = 20)and the combination group(BF-NB Group,n = 20). The BF group was treated with biofeedback electrical stimulation for 2 months,while the NB group was treated with continuous hypogastric plexus blocking for 2 weeks and the BF-NB group was pre-treated with 2 weeks of hypogastric plexus blocking and then underwent biofeedback electrical stimulation for 2 months. We recorded the visual analogue scale(VAS)scores before treatment,2,4,8 weeks and 3 months after the treatment and adverse events.Results The VAS scores of the BF-NB group at 2,4,8 weeks and 3 months after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment and the other groups(P<0.05).The significantly effective rate and total effective rate of the BF-NB group were signifi-cantly higher than those before treatment of the BF group and the NB group(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in rate of adverse events between the BF-NB group and the NB group(P>0.05).Conclusion The bio-feedback electrical stimulation combined with the hypogastric plexus block is a safe and effective method to relieve chronic pelvic pain.

URINARY DYSFUNCTION AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT FOR RECTAL CANCER / Disfunção urinária após tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de reto

BackgroundThe impact on quality of life attributed to treatment for rectal cancer remains high. Deterioration of the urinary function is a relevant complication within that context.ObjectiveTo detect the presence of urinary dysfunction and its risk factors among individuals underwent surgical treatment for rectal cancer.MethodsThe present prospective study analyzed 42 patients from both genders underwent surgical treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma with curative intent. The version of the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire validated for the Portuguese language was applied at two time-points: immediately before and 6 months after surgery. Risk factors for urinary dysfunction were analysed by means of logistic regression and Student’s t-test.ResultsEight (19%) participants exhibited moderate-to-severe urinary dysfunction 6 months after surgery; the average IPSS increased from 1.43 at baseline to 4.62 six months after surgery (P<0.001). None of the variables assessed as potential risk factors exhibited statistical significance, i.e., age, gender, distance from tumour to anal margin, neoadjuvant therapy, adjuvant therapy, type of surgery, surgical approach (laparoscopy or laparotomy), and duration of surgery.ConclusionThis study identified an incidence of 19% of moderate to severe urinary dysfuction after 6 months surveillance. No risk factor for urinary dysfunction was identified in this population.

ContextoA perda de qualidade de vida atribuída ao tratamento do câncer retal continua elevada. Neste contexto, a deterioração da função urinária é complicação relevante.ObjetivoIdentificar disfunção urinária e seus fatores de risco em doentes submetidos ao tratamento cirúrgico do câncer de reto.MétodosRealizou-se estudo prospectivo com 42 doentes de ambos os sexos submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico com intenção curativa para adenocarcinoma de reto. Foi utilizado o questionário International Prostatic Symptom Score, validado na língua portuguesa, em dois períodos: imediatamente antes e após 6 meses do procedimento cirúrgico. Os fatores de risco para disfunção urinária foram analisados por regressão logística e teste t de Student.ResultadosApós 6 meses do procedimento cirúrgico, oito (19%) doentes apresentaram disfunção urinária moderada a grave e aumento na média do escore utilizado de 1,43 pontos no pré-operatório para 4,62 pontos no pós-operatório (P<0,001). A análise de fatores de risco para disfunção urinária não mostrou significância para as variáveis estudadas, idade, gênero, distância tumoral da margem anal, neoadjuvância, adjuvância, procedimento cirúrgico realizado, via de acesso cirúrgico (laparoscópica ou laparotômica) e tempo operatório.ConclusãoNos doentes com carcinoma retal operados com intenção curativa, a incidência de disfunção urinária moderada a grave após 6 meses da operação foi de 19%. Não foram identificados fatores de risco para disfunção urinária nesses doentes.

Acute ureteral obstruction following superior hypogastric plexus block: A case report

Pelvic visceral pain associated with both cancer and chronic benign conditions may be alleviated by superior hypogastric plexus block (SHPB). The complications of SHPB include infection, bleeding, or intravascular injection because of the adjacent location of the iliac vessel to the route of needle insertion, and pelvic visceral damage. However, acute ureteral obstruction leading to acute renal failure (ARF) as a complication of SHPB has not been reported to date in the literature. We report a patient with ARF that resulted from acute ureteral obstruction following SHPB performed for the relief of lower abdominal pain and tenesmus in metastatic ureter cancer.

Dor retal persistente após retossigmoidectomia: relato de caso / Persistent rectal pain after rectosimoidectomy: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Dor abdominal crônica após intervenção cirúrgica possui fisiopatologia ainda pouco estudada, sendo descrita após cesariana, hérnia inguinal, videolaparoscopia e colecistectomia. No andar inferior do abdômen, a proctalgia crônica tem sido descrita após hemorroidectomia sendo caracterizada por dor à evacuação acompanhada de urgência para defecar. A dor crônica pós-operatória persistente após retossigmoidectomia videolaparoscópica é pouco frequente. O objetivo deste estudo foi relatar um caso de dor pós-operatória persistente após retossigmoidectomia videolaparoscópica, controlada com bloqueio anestésico bilateral do plexo hipogástrico. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 54 anos, submetida à retossigmoidectomia com anastomose em cólon transverso-retal, por videolaparoscopia. No pós-operatório imediato evoluiu com dor retal em tenesmo, contínua, de forte intensidade, com queimação ocasional. Analgésicos não opioides não aliviavam a dor. Investigação do quadro não evidenciou complicações cirúrgicas, sendo encaminhada para a equipe de controle de dor. Foi realizado bloqueio diagnóstico bilateral de plexo hipogástrico superior com 4 mL de lidocaína a 1%, (sem vasoconstritor) por via transdiscal em L5/S1 guiado por radioscopia, que produziu alívio importante da dor. Permaneceu sem dor durante dois meses, sendo realizado novo bloqueio bilateral hipogástrico superior com 5 mL de lidocaína a 2% (sem vasoconstritor) por via transdiscal em L5/S1 guiado por radioscopia, com remissão importante da dor, atualmente controlada com uso ocasional de gabapentina (300 mg). CONCLUSÃO: A dor retal pós-operatória persistente foi controlada com o bloqueio anestésico bilateral do plexo hipogástrico e a duração do alívio da dor foi prolongada, muito além da meia-vida do anestésico local.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative chronic abdominal pain still lacks pathophysiological studies, being described after Cesarean section, inguinal hernia, videolaparoscopy and cholecystectomy. In lower abdomen, chronic proctalgia has been described after hemorrhoidectomy and is characterized as pain at evacuation followed by urgency to defecate. Persistent postoperative pain after videolaparoscopic rectosigmoidectomy is uncommon. This study aimed at reporting a case of persistent postoperative pain after videolaparoscopic rectosigmoidectomy, controlled with bilateral anesthetic block of the hypogastric plexus. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 54 years old, submitted to videolaparoscopic rectosigmoidectomy with transverse-rectal colon anastomosis. In the immediate postoperative period she evolved with tenesmus, continuous and severe pain with occasional burning. Non-steroid analgesics would not relieve pain. Evaluation has not shown surgical complications and she was referred to the pain control team. Radioscopy-guided transdiscal bilateral diagnostic blockade of upper hypogastric plexus was induced with 4 mL of 1% lidocaine (without vasoconstrictor) in L5/S1 which has induced major pain relief. Patient remained pain-free for two months when a new radioscopy-guided transdiscal bilateral upper hypogastric block was induced with 5 mL of 2% lidocaine (without vasoconstrictor) with major pain remission. Currently pain is controlled with occasional gabapentin (300 mg). CONCLUSION: Persistent rectal postoperative pain was controlled with bilateral anesthetic hypogastric plexus block with prolonged pain relief, well beyond local anesthetic half life.

A New Technique for Inferior Hypogastric Plexus Block: A Coccygeal Transverse Approach: A Case Report

Chronic pelvic pain is a common problem with variable etiology. The sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in the transmission of visceral pain regardless of its etiology. Sympathetic nerve block is effective and safe for treatment of pelvic visceral pain. One of them, the inferior hypogastric plexus, is not easily assessable to blockade by local anesthetics and neurolytic agents. Inferior hypogastric plexus block is not commonly used in chronic pelvic pain patients due to pre-sacral location. Therefore, inferior hypogastric plexus is not readily blocked using paravertebral or transdiscal approaches. There is only one report of inferior hypogastric plexus block via transsacral approach. This approach has several disadvantages. In this case a favorable outcome was obtained by using coccygeal transverse approach of inferior hypogastric plexus. Thus, we report a patient who was successfully given inferior hypogastric plexus block via coccygeal transverse approach to treat chronic pelvic pain conditions involving the lower pelvic viscera.

Unilateral, Single Needle Approach Using an Epidural Catheter for Bilateral Superior Hypogastric Plexus Block

The superior hypogastric plexus block (SHPB) is used for treating pelvic pain, especially in patients with gynecological malignancies. Various approaches to this procedure have been reported due to the anatomic obstacles of a high iliac crest or large transverse process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. Here, we report a new technique of superior hypogastric plexus block using a unilateral single-needle approach to block the bilateral superior hypogastric plexus with a Tuohy needle and epidural catheter. We have confidence that this new technique can be another option in performing the SHPB when the conventional bilateral approach is difficult to perform.

The influence of pelvic autonomic nerve preservation with total mesorectal excision on urinary and sexual function in mid and low rectal cancer / 中国现代普通外科进展

Objective:To evaluate the changes of urinary and sexual function after pelvic autonomic nerve preservation with total mesorectal excision operation in patients of rectal cancer . Methods:Fifty-two patients of Dukes B stage received The PANP following TME with follow-up was complete in 38 cases while TME in 35 cases of Dukes B from January 2004 to August 2006. The urinary and sexual dysfunctions of patients in case and control group were analyzed retrospectively by case-control study. Urinary and sexual function were evaluated by means of questionnaires before and after operation.Results:The micturation dysfunction rate was 15.7%(6/38) and 40%(14/35) ,the sexual dysfunction rate was 18.4%(7/38) and 51.4%(18/35)in case and control group respectively,with the difference being significant(P=0.013,P=0.002).Conclusion:The PANP following TME for rectal cancer could reduce sexual and micturition disorder rate and improve the quality of life of the patients after operation.