Effects of Laparoscopic Pelvic Autonomic Nerve-Preserving Radical Resection of Rectal Cancer on Urinary and Sexual Function

Objective:To investigate and analyze the effect of laparoscopic pelvic autonomic nerve-preserving radical resection of rectal cancer on urinary and sexual function.Methods:Cases of laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer in our hospital from April 2018 to April 2023 were selected,and 60 patients who met the requirements were included as research subjects.The patients were divided into an experimental group and a reference group by a double-blind mechanism,with 30 cases in each group.The experimental group underwent laparoscopic pelvic autonomic radical resection,while the reference group underwent ordinary radical resection.The voiding function,urodynamics,sexual function,and blood indexes of the patients of both groups were compared.Results:The total incidence of voiding dysfunction in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the reference group(P<0.05).Urodynamics such as abdominal leak point pressure(ALPP),maximum urethral pressure(MUP),maximum urethral closure pressure(MUCP),and functional urethral length(FUL)in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the reference group(P<0.05).The incidences of erectile dysfunction and ejaculatory dysfunction in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the reference group(P<0.05).Before the surgery,there were no significant differences in the blood indexes such as C-reactive protein(CRP),cortisol(Cor),and pre-albumin(PA)between the two groups(P>0.05);after the operation,the blood indexes of the patients in the experimental group were significantly better than those in the reference group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Laparoscopic pelvic autonomic nerve-preserving radical resection of rectal cancer has lesser effects on urinary and sexual functions.

Anatomical Basis and Clinical Research of Pelvic Autonomic Nerve Preservation with Laparoscopic Radical Resection for Rectal Cancer

The clinical effect of laparoscopic rectal cancer curative excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation（PANP） was investigated. This study evaluated the frequency of urinary and sexual dysfunction of 149 male patients with middle and low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic or open total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation（PANP） from March 2011 to March 2013. Eighty-four patients were subjected to laparoscopic surgery, and 65 to open surgery respectively. The patients were followed up for 12 months, interviewed, and administered a standardized questionnaire about postoperative functional outcomes and quality of life. In the laparoscopic group, 13 patients（18.37%） presented transitory postoperative urinary dysfunction, and were medically treated. So did 12 patients（21.82%） in open group. Sexual desire was maintained by 52.86%, un-ability to engage in intercourse by 47.15%, and un-ability to achieve orgasm and ejaculation by 34.29% of the patients in the laparoscopic group. Sexual desire was maintained by 56.36%, un-ability to engage in intercourse by 43.63%, and un-ability to achieve orgasm and ejaculation by 33.73% of the patients in the open group. No significant differences in urinary and sexual dysfunction between the laparoscopic and open rectal resection groups were observed（P〉0.05）. It was concluded that laparoscopic rectal cancer radical excision with PANP did not aggravate or improve sexual and urinary dysfunction.

The effect of complete and incomplete Pelvic Autonomic nerves Preservation on Urination Function in Patient With Resection of Rectal Carcinoma

Objective： To evaluate the influence of complete and incomplete pelvic autonomic nerve preservation （PANP） on urination function in patients with resection of rectal carcinoma. Methods： The changes of pre-and post-operative residual urine volume （RUV） in patient undergoing complete PANP （n = 15） and incomplete PANP （n = 17） were observed. Results： In fifteen cases with complete PANP, preoperative RUV was 4.09 ml, 14 days and 3 months after operation RUV were 8.00 ml and 7.02 ml （P 〉 0.05）. In seventeen cases with incomplete PANP, preoperative RUV was 3.90 ml, 14 days and 3 months after operation RUV were 36.55 ml and 22.64 ml （P 〈 0.001 ）. Conclusion： Complete and incomplete pelvic autonomic preservation may affect urination function in patients with resection of rectal carcinoma and RUV is an effective indicator if the pelvic autonomic nerves are preserved completely.

Pelvic autonomic nerve preservation in radical rectal cancer surgery:changes in the past 3 decades

The advent of total mesorectal excision(TME)together with minimally invasive techniques such as laparoscopic colorectal surgery and robotic surgery has improved surgical results.However,the incidence of bladder and sexual dysfunction remains high.This may be particularly distressing for the patient and troublesome to manage for the surgeon when it does occur.The increased use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy is also associated with poorer functional outcomes.In this review,we evaluate current understanding of the anatomy of pelvic nerves which are divided into the areas of the inferior mesenteric artery pedicle,the lateral pelvic wall and dissection around the urogenital organs.Surgical techniques in these areas are discussed.We also discuss the results in functional outcomes of the various techniques including open,laparoscopic and robotic over the last 30 years.

Nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy： a simplified technique of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for invasive cervical cancer

Background In order to simplify the complicated procedure of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, a novel technique characterized by integral preservation of the autonomic nerve plane has been employed for invasive cervical cancer. The objective of this study was to introduce the nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy technique and compare its efficacy and safety with that of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. Methods From September 2006 to August 2010, 73 consecutive patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB to IIA cervical cancer underwent radical hysterectomy with two different nerve-sparing approaches. Nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy was performed for the first 16 patients （nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy group）. The detailed autenomic nerve structures were identified and separated by meticulous dissection during this procedure. After January 2008, the nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy procedure was developed and performed for the next 57 patients （nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy group）. During this modified procedure, the nerve plane （meso-ureter and its extens;ion） containing most of the autonomic nerve structures was integrally preserved. The patients＇ clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical parameters, and outcomes of postoperative bladder function were compared between the two groups. Results There were no significant differences between the nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy and nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy groups regarding age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, pathological type, preoperative treatment, or need for intraoperative blood transfusion. The nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy group had a higher body mass index than that of the nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy group （P=0.028）. The mean surgical duration in the nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy and nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy groups were （262_＋46） minutes and （341＋36） minutes （P 〈0.01）. On the 8th postoperative day, 41 （71.9%） patients in the nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy group and nine （56.3%） patients in the nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy group had a postvoid residual urine volume of 〈100 ml （P=0.233）. The median duration of catheterization was eight days （range 8-23 days） for the nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy group and eight days （range 8-22 days） for the nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy group （P=-0.509）. Neither surgery-related injury nor pathologically positive margins were reported in either group. Conclusion Nerve plane-sparing radical hysterectomy is a reproducible and simplified modification of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, and may be preferable to nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy for treatment of early-stage invasive cervical cancer.

Identification of the surgical indication line for the Denonvilliers’fascia and its anatomy in patients with rectal cancer

Background:The high rate of urogenital dysfunction after traditional total mesorectal excision(TME)has caused doubts among scholars on the standard fashion of dissection.We have proposed the necessity to preserve the Denonvilliers’fascia in patients with rectal cancer.However,how to accurately locate the Denonvilliers’fascia is unclear.This study aimed to explore anatomical features of the Denonvilliers’fascia by comparing autopsy findings and observations of surgical videos so as to propose a dissection method for the preservation of pelvic autonomic nerves during rectal cancer surgery.Methods:Five adult male cadaver specimens were dissected,and surgical videos of 135 patients who underwent TME for mid-low rectal cancer between January 2009 and February 2019 were reviewed to identify and compare the structure of the Denonvilliers’fascia.Results:The monolayer structure of the Denonvilliers’fascia was observed in 5 male cadaver specimens,and it was located between the rectum,the bottom of the bladder,the seminal vesicles,the vas deferens,and the prostate.The Denonvilliers’fascia was originated from the rectovesical pouch(or rectum-uterus pouch),down to fuse caudally with the rectourethral muscle at the apex of the prostate,and fused to the lateral ligaments on both sides.The fascia was thinner on the midline with a thickness of 1.06±0.10 mm.The crown shape of the Denonvilliers’fascia was slightly triangular,with a height of approximately 5.42±0.16 cm at midline.Nerves were more densely distributed in front of the Denonvilliers’fascia than behind,especially on both sides of it.Under laparoscopic view,the Denonvilliers’fascia was originated at the lowest point of the rectovesical pouch(or rectum-uterus pouch),with a thickened white line which was a good mark for identifying the Denonvilliers’fascia.Conclusion:Identification of the surgical indication line for the Denonvilliers’fascia could help us identify the Denonvilliers’fascia,and it would improve our ability to protect the pelvic autonomic function of patients undergoing TME for rectal cancer.