Anatomy of the superior hypogastric plexus and its application in nerve-sparing paraaortic lymphadenectomy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to clarify the anatomy of the superior hypogastric plexus, which would contribute to advancement of nerve-sparing paraaortic lymphadenectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen cadavers were dissected and morphometrically analysed based on photographic images. Anatomical landmarks such as aortic bifurcation, transitional points of abdominal aorta to bilateral common iliac arteries, and cross point of the right ureter and pelvic brim, and cross point of sigmoid mesentery and pelvic brim were selected as reference points. RESULTS: The left lowest lumbar splanchnic nerve was located more laterally to transitional point of abdominal aorta to in 11/18 specimens, whereas the right lowest lumbar splanchnic nerve passed onto the right transitional point in only one specimen. The lowest lumbar splanchnic nerves or the superior hypogastric plexus covered the aortic bifurcation in 11/18 specimens. The superior hypogastric plexus was separate from the cross point of right ureter and pelvic brim as well as cross point of sigmoid mesentery and pelvic brim. CONCLUSIONS: The superior hypogastric plexus is at risk of injury during paraaortic lymphadenectomy because of its topography. Preservation of the superior hypogastric plexus regarding its anatomic basis during paraaortic lymphadenectomy is required.

Pelvic Neuroanatomy: An Overview of Commonly Encountered Pelvic Nerves in Gynecologic Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This video tutorial identifies key anatomic landmarks useful in identifying the path of the most commonly encountered pelvic nerves in benign gynecologic surgery. DESIGN: This is a narrated overview of commonly encountered pelvic nerves during benign gynecology, their origin, sensory, and motor function, as well as sequelae related to injury. SETTING: The unintended injury of pelvic neural connections can be a complication of any pelvic surgery, however, surgery for malignancy or endometriosis may increase the likelihood of encountering these nerves. The majority of focus surrounding surgical nerve injury, however, relates to patient positioning [1]. Injury to the pelvic nerves can lead to lifelong sexual, bladder, and defecatory dysfunction [2]. INTERVENTIONS: We review the Genitofemoral, Lateral Femoral Cutaneous, Ilioinguinal, Obturator, Superior and Inferior Hypogastric nerves, Pelvic Splanchnic nerves, and the Sacral nerves. Surgical illustrations are used (Fig. 1) alongside real-time narrated video to help viewers recognize the normal course of commonly encountered pelvic nerves at the time of gynecologic surgery (Figs2-3). CONCLUSION: The surgical management of complex pelvic disease can unfortunately carry significant patient morbidity [3]. The neural pathways traveling through the pelvis via the hypogastric nerves are responsible for proprioception, vaginal lubrication, and proper functioning or the urethral and anal sphincters [4]. Sparing these nerves during pelvic surgery, and especially when anatomic planes are distorted by pelvic disease, requires surgical expertise and an immense understanding of pelvic neuroanatomy [4,5]. Preservation of the pelvic neural pathways is necessary to deliver the best patient outcomes while minimizing unwanted surgical complications. This video tutorial also highlights the origin of these nerves, their anatomic location, procedures in which these nerves may be encountered, and what sequelae occur from their unintended injury.

Anatomy of the female pelvic nerves: a macroscopic study of the hypogastric plexus and their relations and variations.

The autonomic nerves of the lesser pelvis are particularly prone to iatrogenic lesions due to their exposed position during manifold surgical interventions. Nevertheless, the cause of rectal and urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunctions, for example after rectal cancer resection or hysterectomy, remains largely understudied, particularly with regard to the female pelvic autonomic plexuses. This study focused on the macroscopic description of the superior hypogastric plexus, hypogastric nerves, inferior hypogastric plexus, the parasympathetic pelvic splanchnic nerves and the sympathetic fibres. Their arrangement is described in relation to commonly used surgical landmarks such as the sacral promontory, ureters, uterosacral ligaments, uterine and rectal blood vessels. Thirty-one embalmed female pelvises from 20 formalin-fixed and 11 Thiel-fixed cadavers were prepared. In all cases explored, the superior hypogastric plexus was situated anterior to the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta. In 60% of specimens, it reached the sacral promontory, whereas in 40% of specimens, it continued across the pelvic brim until S1. In about 25% of the subjects, we detected an accessory hypogastric nerve, which has not been systematically described so far. It originated medially from the inferior margin of the superior hypogastric plexus and continued medially into the presacral space. The existence of an accessory hypogastric nerve was confirmed during laparoscopy and by histological examination. The inferior hypogastric plexuses formed fan-shaped plexiform structures at the end of both hypogastric nerves, exactly at the junction of the ureter and the posterior wall of the uterine artery at the uterosacral ligament. In addition to the pelvic splanchnic nerves from S2-S4, which joined the inferior hypogastric plexus, 18% of the specimens in the present study revealed an additional pelvic splanchnic nerve originating from the S1 sacral root. In general, form, breadth and alignment of the autonomic nerves displayed large individual variations, which could also have a clinical impact on the postoperative function of the pelvic organs. The study serves as a basis for future investigations on the autonomic innervation of the female pelvic organs.

Laparoscopic fundoplication and new aspects of neural anatomy at the oesophagogastric junction.

BACKGROUND: In fundoplication, mobilization of the distal oesophagus and proximal stomach is essential to obtain a sufficient tension-free intra-abdominal oesophageal length for creation of an efficient antireflux barrier. Most surgical literature and anatomical illustrations do not describe nerve branches running from the diaphragm to the stomach. After observing small nerve branches at laparoscopic fundoplication, penetrating the left crus of the diaphragm lateral to the hiatus and apparently running into the stomach, an anatomical cadaver study was undertaken to identify the origin and target organ of these nerves. METHODS: Fifty-three human cadavers (23 men, 30 women; age range 35-103 years) were dissected with special attention to the nerves that penetrate the left crus of the diaphragm. The entire course of these nerves was documented with standardized drawings and photos. RESULTS: Small nerve branches penetrating the diaphragm lateral to the left crus of the hiatus were found in 17 (32 per cent) of the 53 cadavers. In 14 of these 17 cadavers, one or two splanchnic nerve branches were identified, and in ten of the 17 the nerve branches were found to be phrenic nerves. In seven of these 17 cadavers, two different nerve branches were found and assigned to both splanchnic and phrenic nerves. CONCLUSION: Nerves penetrating the left crus with splanchnic origin or phrenic origin have been identified. Their function remains unclear and their relationship to postfundoplication symptoms remains to be determined.

ANTECEDENTES: A la hora de realizar una fundoplicatura, la movilización del esófago distal y del estómago proximal es esencial para obtener una longitud de esófago intraabdominal suficiente y sin tensión para crear una barrera antirreflujo eficiente. La mayoría de la literatura quirúrgica y de las ilustraciones anatómicas no describen unas ramas nerviosas que discurren desde el diafragma al estómago. Tras observar pequeñas ramas nerviosas durante la realización de una fundoplicatura laparoscópica que penetran la crura izquierda del diafragma lateral al hiato y que aparentemente discurren hacia el estómago, se llevó a cabo un estudio anatómico en cadáver para identificar el origen y el órgano diana de estos nervios. MÉTODOS: Se diseccionaron 53 cadáveres humanos (23 varones, 30 mujeres, rango de edad: 35-103 años) con especial atención hacia los nervios que penetran la crura izquierda del diafragma. Se documentó el recorrido completo de estos nervios con fotos y dibujos de una forma estandarizada. RESULTADOS: En 17 (32%) de 53 cadáveres se hallaron pequeñas ramas nerviosas que penetraban el diafragma lateral a la crura izquierda del hiato. En 14 cadáveres (de los 17) se identificaron una o dos ramas nerviosas esplácnicas, y en 10 de los 17 cadáveres las ramas nerviosas que se hallaron resultaron ser nervios frénicos. En 7 de estos 17 cadáveres, se hallaron dos ramas nerviosas diferentes y se asignaron a ambos nervios, esplácnicos y frénicos. CONCLUSIÓN: Se han identificado los nervios que penetran la crura izquierda con un origen esplácnico y frénico. Sus funciones están por aclarar, así como su relación con los síntomas que aparecen tras la fundoplicatura.

Anatomical and clinical implications of vagal modulation of the spleen.

The vagus nerve coordinates most physiologic functions including the cardiovascular and immune systems. This mechanism has significant clinical implications because electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve can control inflammation and organ injury in infectious and inflammatory disorders. The complex mechanisms that mediate vagal modulation of systemic inflammation are mainly regulated via the spleen. More specifically, vagal stimulation prevents organ injury and systemic inflammation by inhibiting the production of cytokines in the spleen. However, the neuronal regulation of the spleen is controversial suggesting that it can be mediated by either monosynaptic innervation of the splenic parenchyma or secondary neurons from the celiac ganglion depending on the experimental conditions. Recent physiologic and anatomic studies suggest that inflammation is regulated by neuro-immune multi-synaptic interactions between the vagus and the splanchnic nerves to modulate the spleen. Here, we review the current knowledge on these interactions, and discuss their experimental and clinical implications in infectious and inflammatory disorders.

The middle rectal artery arising from the lateral sacral artery.

A middle rectal artery arising from the lateral sacral artery (MRAls) in the right pelvis of a 99-year-old male was observed. Although variations of the origin of the middle rectal artery have been reported on many occasions, there are few descriptions of the trajectory in the literature. In our case, the MRAls branched from the lateral sacral artery on the sacral surface close to the third sacral sympathetic ganglion and immediately penetrated the third sacral splanchnic nerve and the parasympathetic pelvic splanchnic nerve from the ventral ramus of the forth sacral nerve. The MRAls entered in the lateral wall of the rectal ampulla without giving off a prostatic branch. Preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerves are crucial in rectal cancer excision to preserve the autonomic functions. The close topography of the MRAls to the origin of the fine autonomic nerves should be noted.

The anatomy of the infrarenal lumbar splanchnic nerves in human cadavers: implications for retroperitoneal nerve-sparing surgery.

Injury to the nerves of the aortic- and superior hypogastric plexuses during retroperitoneal surgery often results in significant post-operative complications, including retrograde ejaculation and/or loss of seminal emission in males. Although previous characterizations of these plexuses have done well to provide a basis for understanding the typical anatomy, additional research into the common variations of these plexuses could further optimize nerve-sparing techniques for retroperitoneal surgery. To achieve this, the present study aimed to document the prevalence and positional variability of the infrarenal lumbar splanchnic nerves (LSNs) through gross dissection of 26 human cadavers. In almost all cases, two LSNs were observed joining each side of the aortic plexus, with 48% (left) and 33% (right) of specimens also exhibiting a third joining inferior to the left renal vein. As expected, the position of the LSNs varied greatly between specimens. That said, the vast majority (98%) of LSNs joining the aortic plexus were found to originate from the lumbar sympathetic trunk above the level of the inferior mesenteric artery. It was also found that, within specimens, adjacent LSNs often coursed in parallel. In addition to these nerves, 85% of specimens also demonstrated retroaortic LSN(s) that were angled more inferior compared with the other LSNs (P < 0.05), and exhibited a unique course between the aorta/common iliac arteries and the left common iliac vein before joining the superior hypogastric plexus below the aortic bifurcation. These findings may have significant implications for surgeons attempting nerve-sparing procedures of the sympathetic nerves in the infrarenal retroperitoneum such as retroperitoneal lymphadenectomies. We anticipate that the collective findings of the current study will help improve such retroperitoneal nerve-sparing surgical procedures, which may assist in preserving male ejaculatory function post-operatively.

The anatomy for retroperitoneal laparoscopic splanchnicectomy / La anatomía de la esplacnicectomía laparoscópica retroperitoneal

Greater splanchnic nerves (GSNs) and lesser splanchnic nerves (LSNs) are the dominant nerves in the pain of advanced cancer patients, which provides the base of retroperitoneal laparoscopic splanchnicectomy. We dissected 25 cadavers to provide anatomic basis for the surgery. Most GSNs entered the abdominal cavity close to the medial crus of the diaphragm while most LSNs the middle one. The number of the branch varies from 1 (which was 80 %) ­ 3. The abdominal segment length of LSNs and GSNs was 26 mm and 20 mm respectively. The mean diameter of the nerves was about 2 mm. The laparoscope was put through abdominal wall beneath the 12th rib at the posterior axillary line, best angles and distances for the surgery were 50 ° and 80-110 mm respectively. The anatomic parameters of splanchnic nerves in the abdominal cavity as well as the angle and distance for the retroperitoneal laparoscopic splanchnicectomy and the anatomic landmarks were presented by the study. Besides the advantages of small incision, less pain and quick recovery, the anatomic parameters provided a practicable approach for the retroperitoneal laparoscopic splanchnicectomy.

Los nervios esplácnicos mayores (NEM) y los nervios esplácnicos menores (NEm) son los nervios dominantes en el dolor de los pacientes con cáncer avanzado, que proporciona la base de la esplacnicectomía laparoscópica retroperitoneal. Se disecaron 25 cadáveres para proporcionar base anatómica para la cirugía. La mayoría de los NEM entraron en la cavidad abdominal cerca del pilar medial del diafragma, mientras que la mayoría de los Nem lo hicieron cerca del pilar medio. El número de ramas varía de 1 (que era del 80 %) - 3. La longitud del segmento abdominal de NEm y NEM fue de 26 mm y 20 mm, respectivamente. El diámetro medio de los nervios era de aproximadamente 2 mm. El laparoscopio se colocó a través de la pared abdominal debajo de la 12 costilla en la línea axilar posterior, los mejores ángulos y distancias para la cirugía fueron de 50° y 80-110 mm, respectivamente. Los parámetros anatómicos de los nervios esplácnicos en la cavidad abdominal, así como el ángulo y la distancia para la esplacnicectomía laparoscópica retroperitoneal y los puntos de referencia anatómicos fueron presentados por el estudio. Además de las ventajas de la incisión pequeña, menos dolor y recuperación rápida, los parámetros anatómicos proporcionaron un enfoque práctico para la esplacnicectomía laparoscópica retroperitoneal.

Anatomic relationships of the pelvic autonomic nervous system in female cadavers: clinical applications to pelvic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The integrity of the pelvic autonomic nervous system is essential for proper bowel, bladder, and sexual function. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the anatomic path of the pelvic autonomic system and to examine relationships to clinically useful landmarks. STUDY DESIGN: Detailed dissections were performed in 17 female cadavers. Relationships of the superior hypogastric plexus to aortic bifurcation and midpoint of sacral promontory were examined; the length and width of plexus was documented. Path and width of right and left hypogastric nerves were recorded. The origin and course of the pelvic splanchnic nerves were documented. Individual nerve tissue that contributed to the inferior hypogastric plexus was noted. Relative position of nerves to arteries, viscera, and ligaments was documented. In a subset of specimens, biopsy specimens were obtained to confirm gross findings by histologic analysis. Descriptive statistics were used for data analyses and reporting. RESULTS: In all specimens, the superior hypogastric plexus was embedded in a connective tissue sheet within the presacral space, just below the peritoneum. In 14 of 17 specimens (82.4%), the plexus formed a median distance of 21.3 mm (range, 9-40 mm) below aortic bifurcation; in the remaining specimens, it formed a median distance of 25.3 mm (range, 20.5-30 mm) above bifurcation. In 58.8% of specimens, the superior hypogastric plexus was positioned to the left of midline. The median length and width of the plexus was 39.5 (range, 11.5-68) mm and 9 (range, 2.5-15) mm, respectively. A right and left hypogastric nerve was identified in all specimens and formed a median distance of 23 mm (range, 5-32 mm) below the promontory. The median width of the hypogastric nerve was 3.5 mm (range, 3-4.5 mm) on the right and 3.5 mm (range, 2-6.5 mm) on the left. The median distance from midportion of uterosacral ligament to the closest nerve branch was 0.5 mm (range, 0-4.5 mm) on right and 0 mm (range, 0-27.5 mm) on left. In all specimens, the inferior hypogastric plexus was formed by contributions from the hypogastric nerves and branches from S3 and S4. In 47.1% of hemipelvises, S2 branches contributed to the plexus. The sacral sympathetic trunk contributed to the plexus in 16 of 34 hemipelvises where this structure was identified. The inferior hypogastric plexus formed 1-3 cm lateral to the rectum and upper third of the vagina. From this plexus, 1-3 discrete branches coursed deep to the ureter toward the bladder. A uterine branch that coursed superficial to the ureter followed the ascending branch of the uterine artery. An S4 branch was found directly attaching to lateral walls of the rectum in 53% of specimens. Pelvic splanchnic nerves merged into the inferior hypogastric plexus on the lower and medial surface of the coccygeus muscle. Histologic analysis confirmed neural tissue in all tissues that were sampled. CONCLUSION: Anatomic variability and inability to visualize the small caliber fibers that comprise the inferior hypogastric plexus grossly likely underlines the reasons that some postoperative visceral and sexual dysfunction occur in spite of careful dissection and adequate surgical technique. These findings highlight the importance of a discussion with patients about the risks that are associated with interrupting autonomic fibers during the preoperative consent.

Selective visualization of pelvic splanchnic nerve and pelvic plexus using readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance neurography: A preliminary study in healthy male volunteers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential of readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance neurography (RS-EPI DW-MRN) for the selective visualization of pelvic splanchnic nerve and pelvic plexus in healthy male volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval and written informed consent were obtained. RS-EPI DW-MRN images were acquired from thirteen healthy male volunteers aged 25-48 years between September 2013 and December 2013. For RS-EPI DW-MRN, the following parameters were used: spatial resolution, 1.1×1.1×2.5mm; b-value, 250s/mm2; number of readout-segments, seven; and acquisition time, 7min 45s. For qualitative assessment, two abdominal radiologists independently evaluated the visibility of the pelvic splanchnic nerves and pelvic plexuses bilaterally in each subject on oblique coronal thin-slab 10-mm-thick maximum intensity projection images and scored it with a 4-point grading scale (excellent, good, fair, poor). Both readers scored twice at 6-month intervals. Inter-observer and intra-observer variability were evaluated using Cohen's quadratically weighted κ statistics. Image artifact level was scored on a 4-point grading scale by other two abdominal radiologists in order to evaluate the correlation between the nerve visibility and the severity of imaging artifacts using the Spearman's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Qualitative grading showed the following success rate (number of nerves qualitatively scored as excellent or good divided by total number of nerves): reader 1 (first set), 73% (19/26); reader 2 (first set), 77% (20/26); reader 1 (second set), 81% (21/26); and reader 2 (second set), 77% (20/26). Inter-observer agreement between readers 1 and 2 was excellent: κ=0.947 (first set) and 0.845 (second set). Intra-observer agreement was also excellent: κ=0.810 (reader 1) and 0.946 (reader 2). The visibility of pelvic splanchnic nerve and pelvic plexus showed a moderate correlation with the image artifact level (ρ=0.54, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that RS-EPI DW-MRN is a promising approach for selectively visualizing the pelvic splanchnic nerve and pelvic plexus.

Laparoscopic anatomy of the autonomic nerves of the pelvis and the concept of nerve-sparing surgery by direct visualization of autonomic nerve bundles.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the laparoscopic neuroanatomy of the autonomic nerves of the pelvis using the laparoscopic neuronavigation technique, as well as the technique for a nerve-sparing radical endometriosis surgery. DESIGN: Step-by-step explanation of the technique using videos and pictures (educational video) to demonstrate the anatomy of the intrapelvic bundles of the autonomic nerve system innervating the bladder, rectum, and pelvic floor. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S): One 37-year-old woman with an infiltrative endometriotic nodule on the anterior third of the left uterosacral ligament and one 34-year-old woman with rectovaginal endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Exposure and preservation by direct visualization of the hypogastric nerve and the inferior hypogastric plexus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Visual control and identification of the autonomic nerve branches of the posterior pelvis. RESULT(S): Exposure and preservation of the hypogastric nerve and the superficial part of the left hypogastric nerve were achieved on the first patient. Nerve roots S2, S3, and S4 were identified on the second patient, allowing for the exposure and preservation of the pelvic splanchnic nerves and the deep portion inferior hypogastric plexus. DISCUSSION(S): Radical surgery for endometriosis can induce urinary dysfunction in 2.4%-17.5% of patients owing to lesion of the autonomic nerves. The surgeon's knowledge of the anatomy of these nerves is the main factor for preserving postoperative urinary function. The following nerves are the intrapelvic part of the autonomic nervous system: the hypogastric nerves, which derive from the superior hypogastric plexus and carry the sympathetic signals to the internal urethral and anal sphincters as well as to the pelvic visceral proprioception; and the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which arise from S2 to S4 and carry nociceptive and parasympathetic signals to the bladder, rectum, and the sigmoid and left colons. The hypogastric and pelvic splanchnic nerves merge into the pararectal fossae to form the inferior hypogastric plexus. Most of the nerve-sparing techniques involve the dissection and exposure of the pelvic splanchnic nerves and the inferior hypogastric plexus. However, knowledge of the topographic anatomy and awareness of the landmarks for avoiding intraoperative nerve injuries seem to be the most important factors in avoiding postoperative bladder and bowel dysfunction, although this latter nerve-sparing technique seems to be associated with reduced radicality and symptom persistence. CONCLUSION(S): This video demonstrates a technique to expose the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the pelvis to preserve them in radical pelvic surgery, by means of direct visualization, in a similar fashion to the technique used to preserve the ureters. An alternative to this technique is to use landmarks for limiting dissection and avoiding intraoperative nerve injury. Despite being safe and more easily reproducible, this latter technique is associated with a higher rate of symptom persistence.

[Vascular relationships of the right great splanchnic nerve in the thorax]. / Rapports vasculaires thoraciques du nerf grand splanchnique droit.

AIM: The surgical assumption of responsibility of the pancreatic pain requires either a truncular coelioscopic or radicular neurectomy of greater splanchnic nerves (gsn). The goal of our work is to describe the way and relations of the right gsn which are variable and rarely described. This constitutes an undeniable peroperational hemorrhagic risk during splanchnicectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After a double side thoracotomy and a bilateral sterno-clavicular desarticulation on 15 adult cadaveric subjects preserved by method of Winckler we removed the sterno-costal drill plate as well as the ventral rib arch and proceeded to a mediastinal evisceration of the thorax. Then we respected only the thoracic aorta and the oesophagus, the azygos venous system, the thoracic duct and the thoracic sympathetic chain. In some of the subjects, the azygos vein was injected (after catheterization of its stick) using gelatine coloured with blue paint. We studied the way and vascular relations of the right gsn. We measured the transverse distances between the origin of the gsn on one hand and the longitudinal axes of the azygos vein and the thoracic duct on the other hand. RESULTS: The relations of the right gsn trunk during its way related to the azygos vein in particular its constitutive origin and its affluents: ascending lumbar vein and twelfth intercostal vein. Sometimes the thoracic duct even a lymphatic node was near the gsn in the posterior infra-mediastinal space. A classification of the way and vascular relations of the right gsn in the thorax identified 3 anatomical types. The average distances separating the right gsn on one hand from the azygos vein and the thoracic duct on the other hand were respectively 5.7 mm and 11.2 mm. CONCLUSION: The vascular relations of the right gsn are very variable from one subject to another but primarily venous, sometimes lymphatic. They concerned the great thoracic vessels whose respect is essential in particular at the time of mini-invasive access procedure for a cœlioscopic splanchnicectomy.

New insights in the neuroanatomy of the human adult superior hypogastric plexus and hypogastric nerves.

BACKGROUND: The superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) is an autonomic plexus, located ventrally to the abdominal aorta and its bifurcation, innervating pelvic viscera. It is classically described as being composed of merely sympathetic fibres. However, post-operative complications after surgery damaging the peri-aortic retroperitoneal compartment suggest the existence of parasympathetic fibres. This immunohistochemical study describes the neuroanatomical composition of the human mature SHP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight pre-determined retroperitoneal localizations including the lumbar splanchnic nerves, the SHP and the HN were studied in four human cadavers. Control tissues (white rami, grey rami, vagus nerve, splanchnic nerves, sympathetic ganglia, sympathetic chain and spinal nerve) were collected to verify the results. All tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and antibodies S100, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and myelin basic protein (MBP) to identify pre- and postganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic nerve fibres. RESULTS: All tissues comprising the SHP and hypogastric nerves (HN) showed isolated expression of TH, VIP and MBP, revealing the presence of three types of fibres: postganglionic adrenergic sympathetic fibres marked by TH, unmyelinated VIP-positive fibres and myelinated preganglionic fibres marked by MBP. Analysis of control tissues confirmed that TH, VIP and MBP were well usable to interpret the neurochemical composition of the SHP and HN. CONCLUSION: The human SHP and HN contain sympathetic and most likely postganglionic parasympathetic fibres. The origin of these fibres is still to be elucidated, however surgical damage in the peri-aortic retroperitoneal compartment may cause pelvic organ dysfunction related to both parasympathetic and sympathetic denervation.

Recurrent rectal cancer causing lumbosacral plexopathy with perineural spread to the spinal nerves and the sciatic nerve: an anatomic explanation.

Several groups have reported cases of rectal cancer with carcinomatous involvement of the lumbosacral plexus and sciatic, obturator, pudendal, or spinal nerves. To our best knowledge, clear examples of perineural tumor spread in rectal carcinoma have not yet been described. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data and imaging studies of three patients with primary or recurrent rectal cancer involving the lumbosacral plexus. Imaging studies included MRI and (18)FDG PET/CT scans in all (n = 3) patients, histological samples were available in two (n = 2). Imaging studies demonstrated distinct features of tumor spread from the organ to the plexus and beyond in all cases (n = 3), histological specimens demonstrated perineural involvement thus supporting our theory (n = 2). We present these three cases of perineural tumor spread in rectal cancer as a proof of concept. We hypothesize that not only our cases, but other similar reported cases can be explained anatomically by extension of the rectal cancer to the inferior hypogastric plexus with perineural tumor spread to the lumbosacral plexus using the pelvic and sacral splanchnic nerves as conduits. Once the tumor reaches the lumbosacral plexus, it can continue to spread proximally or distally. We believe that perineural spread of colon cancer represents an important, under-recognized mechanism of recurrence to neighboring major nerves in the pelvis.

Variations in the formation of thoracic splanchnic nerves

The thoracic splanchnic nerves and celiac ganglia play a major role in pain management of upper abdominal disorders, particularly chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The variable anatomy of the splanchnic nerves is becoming increasingly important in view of the splanchnicectomy being used more often for relief of pain originating from the upper abdominal viscera. In the present study variations of the roots of origin, formation and course of the splanchnic nerves were observed by using gross dissections of eighty-eight sides of thirty-four adult and ten foetal cadavers. The greater splanchnic nerve was found on both sides of all the adult cadavers as well as foetal specimens (100%). The lesser splanchnic nerve was found in 95.45% (84 sides) of the sides. The lesser splanchnic nerve was found to be absent unilaterally in four adult cadavers (two each of right and left sides). The least splanchnic nerve was found in 67.5% of the sides. Excepting a right side of one adult female cadaver and a left side of a male cadaver, where the highest root of the greater splanchnic nerve originated from T3, in all other cases the highest root of the greater splanchnic nerve originated from T4 ganglion onwards. The greater splanchnic nerve was formed by two or more roots. A maximum number of seven roots was found in three sides of adult female cadavers (3.4%). In a large number of instances (54 cases - 64.28%) the lesser splanchnic nerve was formed by a single root. Awareness and appreciation of the variant patterns of the splanchnic nerves is of great importance to the surgeon undertaking thoracic splanchnicectomy, since this technique has been demonstrated to be of tremendous potential in pain abolition or control because of its simplicity and absence of any morbidity and potential mortality associated with thoracotomy

No disponible

Neurovascular quantitative study of the uterosacral ligament related to nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution of autonomic nerves and blood and lymphatic vessels in the uterosacral ligament, elucidate detailed anatomy at a surgical level and provide pathobiological evidence for improvement of nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Surgical samples were collected from 15 patients who underwent radical hysterectomy for early stage cervical cancer (FIGO Ib1-IIa). Twenty-nine fresh specimens were divided into cervical, intermediate and sacral sections, and then subdivided into superficial and deep portions from the middle: the medial surface and lateral surface were also subdivided in order to analyze lymphatic vessels. The numbers of nerve branches in each section or portion of the section were analyzed. The lengths of the uterosacral ligaments were measured and immunohistochemistry staining was studied. Autonomic nerves, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels were quantitatively analyzed using image analysis software and biological stereology. RESULTS: The volume density of sympathetic nerves in the deep portion was significantly higher than in the superficial portion (p<0.05), and the number of nerves was greatest in the cervical section (p<0.05). The volume density of blood vessels was not significantly different between the two portions (p>0.05) or among the three sections (p>0.05), and the volume density of the lymphatic vessels was greater in the medial surface (p<0.05), with most of them in the cervical section (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides systematic mapping of the location and distribution of autonomic nerve branches, blood vessels and lymphatic vessels in the uterosacral ligament.

Nerves of the mediastinum.

Knowledge of the anatomy of the mediastinal nerves is essential for the evaluation and surgical treatment of most thoracic neoplasms. Thorough knowledge of the normal anatomy of the mediastinal nerves and of their variants cannot be overestimated because nerve trauma during nerve anatomy is also important because mediastinal or lung tumors can locally infiltrate those nerves either directly or through nodal metastases, making them generally unresectable.

Robotic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy: feasibility and technique.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the anatomy of pelvic autonomic nerves as it applies to nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy, and the technique, feasibility, and results of robotic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of 6 patients undergoing robotic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy (type C1) for cervical cancer Stage IB (1B1 in 3 and 1B2 in 3 patients). Pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 3 patients and pelvic and aortic in the remaining 3 patients. RESULTS: The operation was completed in all patients. The mean age of the patients was 51.0 (range 33-73) and mean BMI 27.8 (range 23.2-35.1). The mean operating time was 238.6 min (range 207-256), mean blood loss 135 ml (range 100-150), mean number of lymph nodes was 23.6 (range 19-29), mean hospital stay was 2 days (range 1-4). There were no intraoperative complications. Postoperative complications occurred in 1 patient with an ileus who required an extended hospital stay. One patient did not regain normal urinary voidings until the fourth week after surgery. All patients remain free of disease. CONCLUSION: Robotic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy is safe and feasible. Urinary dysfunction may occur.