Recent neuroanatomical studies on the neurovascular bundle of the prostate and cavernosal nerves:clinical reflections on radical prostatectomy

The neurovascular bundle of the prostate and cavernosal nerves have been used to describe the same structure ever since the publication of the first studies on the neuroanatomy of the lower urogenital tract of men, studies that were prompted by postoperative complications arising from radical prostatectomy. In urological surgery every effort is made to preserve or restore the neurovascular bundle of the prostate to avoid erectile dysfunction （ED）. However, the postoperative potency rates are yet to be satisfactory despite all advancements in radical prostatectomy technique. As the technology associated with urological surgery develops and topographical studies on neuroanatomy are cultivated, new observations seriously challenge the classical teachings on the topography of the neurovascular bundle of the prostate and the cavernosal nerves. The present review revisits the classical and most recent data on the topographical anatomy of the neurovascular bundle of the prostate prostatectomy techniques.

Neurovascular bundle dissection for Nesbit procedure in congenital penile curvature patients： medial or lateral？

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the modified Nesbit procedure using different techniques for dissecting the neurovascular bundle （NVB） to correct ventral congenital penile curvatures （CPCs）. The bundle was mobilized using the medial and lateral dissection technique in 21 （Group 1） and 13 （Group 2） patients, respectively. In the medial technique, Buck＇s fascia is opened at the dorsal side of the penis, the deep dorsal vein is removed at the most prominent site of the curvature and a diamond-shaped tunica albuginea （TA） is excised from the midline of the penis. In the lateral technique, the bundle is mobilized using a longitudinal lateral incision of the Buck＇s fascia above the urethra at the 5 and 7 o＇clock positions via a bilateral approach. The localization and degree of curvature was evaluated using the combined intracavernous injection stimulation test or from the patients＇ photographs. The mean patient age and degree of curvature were similar between groups. The mean operation time was longer for Group 2 （P= 0.01）. In Group 1, nine patients （42.8%） required one diamond excision, 10 （47.6%） required two diamond excisions and two （9.5%） required more than two excisions; in Group 2, six patients （46.2%） required two diamond excisions and seven patients （53.8%） required more than two diamond excisions （P = 0.019）. The differences in penile shortening, penile straightening and numbness of the glans penis were not statistically significant. Medial dissection of the bundle for the modified Nesbit procedure reduces the number of diamond-shaped removals of TA and thus shortens operation time in comparison with its lateral counterpart.

The application of indocyanine green in guiding prostate cancer treatment

Objective:Indocyanine green(ICG)with near-infrared fluorescence absorption is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for clinical applications in angiography,blood flow evaluation,and liver function assessment.It has strong optical absorption in the near-infrared region,where light can penetrate deepest into biological tissue.We sought to review its value in guiding prostate cancer treatment.Methods:All related literature at PubMed from January 2000 to December 2020 were reviewed.Results:Multiple preclinical studies have demonstrated the usefulness of ICG in identifying prostate cancer by using different engineering techniques.Clinical studies have demonstrated the usefulness of ICG in guiding sentinel node dissection during radical prostatectomy,and possible better preservation of neurovascular bundle by identifying landmark prostatic arteries.New techniques such as adding fluorescein in additional to ICG were tested in a limited number of patients with encouraging result.In addition,the use of the ICG was shown to be safe.Even though there are encouraging results,it does not carry sufficient sensitivity and specificity in replacing extended pelvic lymph node dissection during radical prostatectomy.Conclusion:Multiple preclinical and clinical studies have shown the usefulness of ICG in identifying and guiding treatment for prostate cancer.Larger randomized prospective studies are warranted to further test its usefulness and find new modified approaches.

Penile prosthesis implantation and tunica albuginea incision without grafting in the treatment of Peyronie＇s disease with erectile dysfunction

We evaluated penile prosthesis implantation with tunica albuginea-relaxing incisions without grafting in the treatment of Peyronie＇s disease associated with erectile dysfunction. Between April 2005 and June 2011, 62 patients underwent surgery due to severe Peyronie＇s disease associated with erectile dysfunction. Malleable and inflatable penile prostheses were inserted in 49 and 13 cases, respectively. Penile prostheses were inserted into the corpora cavernosa using the standard ventral approach. After lifting the neurovascular bundle, the tunica albuginea was incised and opened at the plaque region to correct the deformities and to lengthen the penis. Subsequently, the wide neurovascular bundle was replaced, and all incisions of the tunica albuginea were covered to prevent corporal grafting. In the median follow-up of 35 months （range 14-82 months）, the penis was completely straightened in 59 （95%） patients. Numbness of the glans, which the patients found initially upsetting, decreased or disappeared spontaneously 3-6 months later. Penile prosthesis implantation with tunica albuginea incisions is a viable alternative in the treatment of Peyronie＇s disease because the extensive dissection of the neurovascular bundle allows a good approach to the plaque and provides excellent covering of the incised tunica albuginea without additional grafting.