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

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.

Abdominal testicular vessel distribution in human fetuses - basis for fowler-Stephens surgery.

PURPOSE: To analyze the histology and distribution of abdominal testicular vessels in human fetuses Patients and Methods: We studied 19 fetuses (34 testes) ranging in age from 12 to 19 weeks post-conception. The fetuses were evaluated regarding crown-rump length (CRL), total length (TL) and body weight immediately before dissection. Each testis was dissected and embedded in paraffin, from which 5 µm thick sections were obtained and stained with Masson's trichrome and Anti-CD31 antibody to quantify the vessels. The stereological analysis was carried out with the Image Pro and Image J programs, using a grid to determine volumetric densities (Vv). Means were statistically compared using the unpaired T-test (p<0.05). RESULTS: The fetuses presented mean weight of 222.5g, mean CRL of 15.3 cm and mean TL of 23.2 cm. All testes were in the abdominal position. The mean percentage of vessels (Vv) in the upper portion of the testis was 7.6% (4.6 to 15%) and in the lower portion the mean was 5.11% (2.3 to 9.8%), with a significant difference (p=0.0001). In the analysis between the upper portion of the right and left testes (p=0.99) and in the analysis of the lower portion of the right and left testes (p=0.83), we did not observe significant differences. CONCLUSION: The upper portion of the abdominal testis in human fetuses had a higher concentration of vessels than the lower portion. These results suggest that manipulation of the lower end of the testis during Fowler-Stephens surgery should be avoided in order to preserve the collateral circulation.

Vaginal development during 2nd gestational trimester: translational study in human female fetuses with disorders of the neural tube.

PURPOSE: One of the most common malformations of the central nervous system is related to embryonic neural tube alterations. We hypothesized that anencephaly affects the development of the vagina during the human second trimester of pregnancy. Our study compared the biometric parameters of the vagina in human female fetuses with neural tube defects. METHODS: In our study, 34 female fetuses were analyzed, 22 normal and 12 anencephalic, aged between 12 and 22 weeks post conception (WPC). After dissection of the pelvis and individualization of the genital tract, we evaluated the length and width of the vagina using the Image J software. We compared the means statistically using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and performed linear regression. RESULTS: We do not identify statistical significance between the groups for the measurements of vaginal length (Control 3.12-18.33 mm/mean = 9.08 mm/SD +  - 3.77 vs. Anencephalic 2.91-13.10 mm/mean = 7.24 mm/SD +  - 2.28, p = 0.3469) and vaginal width (Control 1.04-4.86 mm/mean = 2.71 mm/SD + - 0.94 vs. Anencephalic 1.35-3.17 mm/mean = 2.13 mm/SD + - 0.65; p = 0.2503). The linear regression analysis indicated that 78.57% significance was found in the correlations in normocephalic fetuses and 57.14% significance in anencephalic fetuses (12.3-18.6 WPC). CONCLUSIONS: We do not find differences in the length and width of the vagina in anencephalic fetuses but the vaginal length and width shows a lesser tendency of growth in the anencephalic fetuses during the second trimester suggesting that anencephaly can impact the development of the vagina.

Epididymal disjunction anomalies in undescended testis - a factor associated with spermatic obstruction.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the incidence of epididymal anomalies (EAs) associated to spermatic obstruction in patients with undescended testis (UT) according to testicular position and age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 87 patients (110 testis) with cryptorchidism and analyzed the presence of EAs correlated with the testicular position, age and patency of the processus vaginalis (PV). To analyze the relations between the testis and epididymis we considered three situations: (a) Normal pattern: the epididymis was attached to the testis at the head and tail and epididymis totally attached to the testis; (b) EAs: when the epididymis was attached to the testis only at the head (Figure-1A) and (c) EAs associated to spermatic obstruction: epididymis was attached to the testis only at the tail (Figure-1B) and when there are no visible connection between testis and epididymis (Figure-1C). We used the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and the Chi-square test for contingency analysis (p <0.05). RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 5.18 years (SD=2.867). Of 110 testes analyzed, 14 were abdominal (12.72%); 83 inguinal (75.45%) and 13 suprascrotal (11.81%). Normal relationships between testis and epididymis were observed in 54 patients (62.1%) with no significant differences in relation to the patient's age (p=0.666). Epididymal tail disjunction was observed in 23 patients (26.44%), with no significant differences in relation to age (p=0.59). EAs associated to spermatic obstruction were observed in 16 patients (18.4%), also with no significant differences in relation to age (p=0.684). We did not observe significant correlation between the testis position and the incidence of EAs (p=0.119). We did not observe significant correlations between patency of the PV (64.7%) and incidence of EAs (p=0.742). CONCLUSIONS: Epididymal anomalies associated with spermatic obstruction are present in almost 20% of undescended testes, without significant correlation with age, testicular position and patency of the PV. This information needs to be correlated to the infertility risk of this congenital anomaly.

Kidney surface development in human fetuses: study applied to radiological diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the anatomical aspects of the kidney surface in human fetuses during the second gestational trimester. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 108 kidneys obtained from 54 human fetuses (29 males and 25 females). The kidney was dissected and the number of clefts was counted. The renal volume was also assessed. To compare the quantitative data in both sexes, the Students-t-test was used (p < 0.05). Simple linear correlations were calculated for all kidney measurements, according to fetal age. Statistical analysis was performed with the R program (Version 3.5.1). RESULTS: The fetuses ranged in age between 11.4 to 23 weeks post-conception. The renal volume of the right kidney ranged from 0.09 to 2.397 cm (mean=0.8479) and the renal volume of the left kidney ranged from 0.07 to 2.416 cm (mean=0.8036). The mean number of renal clefts in fetuses studied was 15.25 (7 to 28). There was no statistical significant difference in renal clefts between the sides either in males (p = 0.646) or in females (p = 0.698). Also, there was no significant difference in the mean number of renal clefts between male and female fetuses in right kidney (p = 0.948) and in left kidney (p = 0.939). CONCLUSIONS: The number of renal clefts has a great variation, weak correlation and no tendency to decrease during the 2nd gestational trimester. The number of clefts in right kidney of total sample and female fetuses has a significant development with age.

Prostate and testicular growth analysis in human fetuses during the second gestational trimester.

BACKGROUND: The second gestational trimester is a very important period for male genital development. We analyzed the testicular and prostatic volume growth and compared them to the biometric parameters in human fetuses. METHODS: We studied 64 testes and 32 prostates from 32 fetuses, aged 10-22 weeks postconception. Fetuses were evaluated regarding total length, crown-rump length, and bodyweight. The same observer performed all the measurements. After testicular and prostatic dissection, the prostate and testicular length, width and thickness were recorded with the aid of computer programs (Image Pro and ImageJ software, version 1.46r). Testicular volume (TV) and prostatic volume (PV) were calculated using the ellipsoid formula. Statistical analysis was performed with the GraphPad Prism program (version 6.01). RESULTS: The fetuses presented PV between 6.1 and 297.18 mm2  (mean = 77.98 mm3 ). Linear regression analysis indicated that the PV in these fetuses increased significantly and positively with fetal age (r2 = .3120; p < .0001). We did not observe significant differences between the TV (right testis: 0.39-63.94 mm3 ; mean = 19.84 mm3 ; left testis: ​​​​​​0.52-55.37 mm3 , mean = 17.25 mm3 ). Linear regression analysis also indicated that the right and left TV (right: r2 = .6649; p < .0001 and left: r2 = .6792; p < .001) increased significantly and positively with fetal age. CONCLUSION: The prostatic growth was slower during the second gestational trimester, with significant correlations with fetal biometric parameters. The testicular growth was moderate and showed a significant correlation with fetal parameters during the studied period in human fetuses.

Neural tube defects and uterus development in human fetuses.

One of the most common malformations of the central nervous system is related to embryonic neural tube alterations. We hypothesized that anencephaly affects the development of the uterus during the human second trimester of pregnancy. The objective of this study was to study the biometric parameters of the uterus in fetuses with anencephaly and compare them with normocephalic fetuses at that important. In our study, 34 female fetuses were analyzed, 22 normal and 12 anencephalic, aged between 12 and 22 weeks post-conception (WPC). After dissection of the pelvis and individualization of the genital tract, we evaluated the length and width of the uterus using the Image J software. We compared the means statistically using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and performed linear regression. We identify significant differences between the uterus length (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0046) and uterus width (mm)/weight (g) × 100 (p = 0.0013) when we compared the control with the anencephalic group. The linear regression analysis indicated that 80% significance was found in the correlations in normocephalic fetuses (12.9 to 22.6 WPC) and 40% significance in anencephalic fetuses (12.3 to 18.6 WPC). The measurements of the uterus were greater in anencephalic group but there are no difference in the uterine width and length growth curves during the period studied. Further studies are required to support the hypothesis suggesting that anencephaly may affect uterine development during the human fetal period.

Investigation of a connection between abdominal wall defects and severity of the herniation in fetuses with gastroschisis and omphalocele.

Analyze the biometric parameters and the size (area) of abdominal wall defect (AWD) in fetuses with gastroschisis and omphaloceles and correlate them with the herniated internal organs. We studied 22 fetuses (11 with AWDs and 11 without anomalies). In all fetuses we evaluated the xiphopubic distance (XPD) and iliac crest distance (ICD). In fetuses with AWDs we dissected the abdominal wall and measured the width and length of the defect for calculating its area and studying the correlation between the size of the defect with the organs that were herniated. For statistical analysis, the Anova and Tukey post-test were used (p < 0.05). The XPD in the control group had mean of 4.2 mm (2.3-5.9; SD ± 1.11), while in the AWDs it was 4.2 mm (2.9-5.5; SD ± 0.98) (p = 0.4366). The ICD had mean values of 2.5 mm (1.6-3.4; SD ± 0.58) in the control group, and 2.3 mm (1.2-3.0; SD ± 0.56) in AWDs fetuses (p = 0.6963). The number of herniate organs do not have significant correlation with the area of the defect (r2 = 0.2504, p = 0.5068). There is no correlation between the size (area) of abdominal wall defects and the number of the internal organs that herniated. Therefore, the hole size is not a predictor of the severity of the gastroschisis or omphalocele.

Study of prostate growth in prune belly syndrome and anencephalic fetuses.

BACKGROUND: To compare the growth of the prostate in anencephalic, prune belly syndrome (PBS) and control fetuses. METHODS: We studied 35 prostates from normal human fetuses aged 11-22 weeks postconception (WPC); 15 from anencephalic fetuses aged 13-19 WPC; and 6 from PBS fetuses aged 13-31WPC. After prostate dissection, we evaluated the prostate length, width and thickness with the aid of a computer program (Image Pro and Image J). The fetal prostate volume (PV) was calculated using the ellipsoid formula: PV = [length × thickness × width] × 0.523. The prostates were dissected and the PV was measured with the aid of the same computer program. Means were statistically compared using the unpaired t-test and linear regression was performed. RESULTS: In 2 PBS fetuses we observed prostatic atresia. We did not observe significant differences in PV when comparing the control group (PV: 6.1 to 313.81 mm, mean = 70.85 mm: SD = 71.43 mm) with anencephalic fetuses: p = 0.3575 (PV: 5.1 to 159.11 mm, mean = 42.94 mm; SD = 40.11 mm) and PBS fetuses: p > 0.999 (PV: 10.89 to 148.71 mm, mean = 55.4 mm; SD = 63.64 mm). The linear regression analysis indicated that the PV in the control group (r2 = 0.3096; p = 0.0004), anencephalic group (r2 = 0.3778; p = 0.0148) and PBS group (r2 = 0.9821; p < 0.009) increased significantly and positively with fetal age (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe significant differences in development of the prostate in fetuses with anencephaly and in 2/3 of fetuses with PBS during the fetal period studied. In 1/3 of the PBS fetuses, the prostate had important atresia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Morphology of the fetal renal pelvis during the second trimester: Comparing genders.

OBJECTIVES: Many studies of neonates have shown that renal pelvis ectasia is more common in boys. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are structural differences in the renal pelvis between male and female fetuses in the second trimester of gestation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 34 renal pelvises obtained from 34 human fetuses (17 males and 17 females), ranging in age from 13 to 23 weeks postconception. The renal pelvis tissue was stained with Masson's trichrome to quantify connective and smooth muscle cells (SMC). The tissue also was fixed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in a modified Karnovsky solution. The images were captured with an Olympus BX51 microscope and Olympus DP70 camera. The stereological analysis was done with the Image-Pro and ImageJ programs, using a grid to determine volumetric densities (Vv). Means were statistically compared using simple linear correlation and the Mann-Whitney test (p<0.05). RESULTS: Quantitative analysis indicated differences (p=0.0275) in Vv of connective tissue in male renal pelvises (mean=55.3%) compared to female ones (mean=51.46%). Quantitative analysis indicated a significant difference (p=0.0002) in SMC in male renal pelvises (mean=12.57%) compared to female ones (mean=16.22%). When we compared the SMC at different ages, we did not find any correlation in male (r2=0.2657, p=0.3027) or female fetuses (r2=0.3798, p=0.1326). When we compared the connective tissue at different ages, we did not find any correlation in female fetuses (r2=0.3798, p=0.2870), but we did observe a positive correlation between the connective tissue and age in male fetuses (r2=0.8308, p<0.0001). SEM showed that the collagen fibers had no differences between male and female. CONCLUSION: The renal pelvis presents significant structural differences between male and female fetuses. The renal pelvis in males had less SMC and presented a positive correlation of connective tissue with age and the renal pelvis in female had less connective tissue without correlation with the age. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Structural Analysis of the Bulbospongiosus Muscle in Patients With Bulbar Urethral Strictures.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the bulbospongiosus muscle (BSM) in patients with bulbar urethral strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 21 patients divided into 2 groups: Stricture Group (n = 14; mean age = 62.00 years) with bulbar stricture submitted to open urethroplasty; and Control Group (n = 7; mean age = 60.14 years) with penile strictures (hypospadias cripples, penile cancer and/or penile infection) who were submitted to perineal urethrostomy. Samples of the BSM were dissected and histologic sections were stained by histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Histomorphometric analyzes were performed on photomicrographs. Means were statistically compared using the unpaired Student t test and the Mann-Whitney test (P <.05). RESULTS: The etiology of bulbar urethral stricture was idiopathic in 2 cases (14.29%), post-TURP in 6 (42.86%), post open radical prostatectomy in 5 (35.71%) and post open prostatectomy in 1 case (7.14%). The average length of the stricture was 2.08 cm. The only parameter analyzed with significant difference between the groups was the vessels (significant difference between the control group: 5.11 ± 1.98% and stricture group: 3.57 ± 1.32%, P = .0460). The quantitative analysis of collagen (Control Group: 10.63 ± 5.37% and Stricture Group: 10.83 ± 4.55%, P = .9296); diameter of BSM muscle fibers (Control Group: 41.71 ± 14.63 µm and Stricture Group: 40.11 ± 8.59 µm, P = .76 and elastic system fibers (Control Group; 3.83 ± 1.54% and Stricture Group: 5.43 ± 2.90%, P = .2601) showed no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Histologic analysis showed a significant decrease of the BSM vessels in urethral stricture, without changes in elastic fibers, collagen, nerves, and muscle fiber diameter. These findings show that the bulbar urethral stricture causes minimal alterations in the structure of the BSM.

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.

Abdominal testicular vessel distribution in human fetuses - basis for Fowler-Stephens surgery

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the histology and distribution of abdominal testicular vessels in human fetuses Patients and Methods: We studied 19 fetuses (34 testes) ranging in age from 12 to 19 weeks post-conception. The fetuses were evaluated regarding crown-rump length (CRL), total length (TL) and body weight immediately before dissection. Each testis was dissected and embedded in paraffin, from which 5 µm thick sections were obtained and stained with Masson's trichrome and Anti-CD31 antibody to quantify the vessels. The stereological analysis was carried out with the Image Pro and Image J programs, using a grid to determine volumetric densities (Vv). Means were statistically compared using the unpaired T-test (p<0.05). Results: The fetuses presented mean weight of 222.5g, mean CRL of 15.3 cm and mean TL of 23.2 cm. All testes were in the abdominal position. The mean percentage of vessels (Vv) in the upper portion of the testis was 7.6% (4.6 to 15%) and in the lower portion the mean was 5.11% (2.3 to 9.8%), with a significant difference (p=0.0001). In the analysis between the upper portion of the right and left testes (p=0.99) and in the analysis of the lower portion of the right and left testes (p=0.83), we did not observe significant differences. Conclusion: The upper portion of the abdominal testis in human fetuses had a higher concentration of vessels than the lower portion. These results suggest that manipulation of the lower end of the testis during Fowler-Stephens surgery should be avoided in order to preserve the collateral circulation.

Kidney surface development in human fetuses: study applied to radiological diagnosis

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the anatomical aspects of the kidney surface in human fetuses during the second gestational trimester. Material and Methods: We studied 108 kidneys obtained from 54 human fetuses (29 males and 25 females). The kidney was dissected and the number of clefts was counted. The renal volume was also assessed. To compare the quantitative data in both sexes, the Students-t-test was used (p < 0.05). Simple linear correlations were calculated for all kidney measurements, according to fetal age. Statistical analysis was performed with the R program (Version 3.5.1). Results: The fetuses ranged in age between 11.4 to 23 weeks post-conception. The renal volume of the right kidney ranged from 0.09 to 2.397 cm (mean=0.8479) and the renal volume of the left kidney ranged from 0.07 to 2.416 cm (mean=0.8036). The mean number of renal clefts in fetuses studied was 15.25 (7 to 28). There was no statistical significant difference in renal clefts between the sides either in males (p = 0.646) or in females (p = 0.698). Also, there was no significant difference in the mean number of renal clefts between male and female fetuses in right kidney (p = 0.948) and in left kidney (p = 0.939). Conclusions: The number of renal clefts has a great variation, weak correlation and no tendency to decrease during the 2nd gestational trimester. The number of clefts in right kidney of total sample and female fetuses has a significant development with age.

Epididymal disjunction anomalies in undescended testis - a factor associated with spermatic obstruction

ABSTRACT Background: To analyze the incidence of epididymal anomalies (EAs) associated to spermatic obstruction in patients with undescended testis (UT) according to testicular position and age. Materials and Methods: We studied 87 patients (110 testis) with cryptorchidism and analyzed the presence of EAs correlated with the testicular position, age and patency of the processus vaginalis (PV). To analyze the relations between the testis and epididymis we considered three situations: (a) Normal pattern: the epididymis was attached to the testis at the head and tail and epididymis totally attached to the testis; (b) EAs: when the epididymis was attached to the testis only at the head (Figure-1A) and (c) EAs associated to spermatic obstruction: epididymis was attached to the testis only at the tail (Figure-1B) and when there are no visible connection between testis and epididymis (Figure-1C). We used the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and the Chi-square test for contingency analysis (p <0.05). Results: The mean age of the patients was 5.18 years (SD=2.867). Of 110 testes analyzed, 14 were abdominal (12.72%); 83 inguinal (75.45%) and 13 suprascrotal (11.81%). Normal relationships between testis and epididymis were observed in 54 patients (62.1%) with no significant differences in relation to the patient's age (p=0.666). Epididymal tail disjunction was observed in 23 patients (26.44%), with no significant differences in relation to age (p=0.59). EAs associated to spermatic obstruction were observed in 16 patients (18.4%), also with no significant differences in relation to age (p=0.684). We did not observe significant correlation between the testis position and the incidence of EAs (p=0.119). We did not observe significant correlations between patency of the PV (64.7%) and incidence of EAs (p=0.742). Conclusions: Epididymal anomalies associated with spermatic obstruction are present in almost 20% of undescended testes, without significant correlation with age, testicular position and patency of the PV. This information needs to be correlated to the infertility risk of this congenital anomaly.