Anatomical sphincteroplasty as a surgical treatment for faecal incontinence: proposal for a global anatomical reconstructive surgical procedure and results from a case series.

The aim of this study is to describe the technical details and clinical and functional results of anatomical sphincteroplasty as a global reconstructive surgery for the treatment of faecal incontinence caused by anal sphincter lesions. This was a prospective, longitudinal study that included patients who underwent the anatomical sphincteroplasty procedure described here to treat complete sphincter damage. We have described the different technical steps in detail. We evaluated the intraoperative and postoperative complications rate, Cleveland Clinic Score (CCS), a modification of the CCS that included soiling (mCCS), the Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (FIQLS), and patient satisfaction. An endoanal ultrasound and anorectal manometric study were performed in all the patients. Forty-four patients were included with a mean of 40.5 months follow-up. The CCS reduced from 15 to 3.3 points and the mCCS from 18.5 to 4.5 points over the study period; p < 0.001. Excellent or good results were achieved in 93% of cases. Endoanal ultrasounds showed a good sphincter repair in 66% of the cases. Anorectal manometry showed an increase in the mean maximal resting pressure from 27.6 mmHg to 41.7 mmHg and of the maximal squeeze pressure from 57.9 to 93 mmHg (p < 0.001) with respect to the preoperative values. Anatomical sphincteroplasty is a surgical proposal for the global anatomical reconstruction of anal sphincter lesions, even in cases of very severe damage. The procedure is safe and produced excellent clinical and functional results after a medium-term follow-up.

Navigating surgical anatomy of the Denonvilliers' fascia and dissection planes of the anterior mesorectum with a cadaveric simulation model.

Anterior dissection of the rectum in the male pelvis represents one of the most complex phases of total meso-rectal excision. However, the possible existence of different anatomical planes is controversial and the exact anatomical topography of Denonvilliers' fascia is still debated. The aim of the study is to accurately define in a cadaveric simulation model the existence and boundaries of Denonvilliers' fascia, identifying the anatomical planes suitable for surgical dissection. The pelvises of 31 formalin-preserved male cadavers were dissected. Careful and detailed dissection was carried out to visualize the anatomical structures and the potential dissection planes, simulating an anterior meso-rectum dissection. Denonvilliers' fascia was identified in 100% of the pelvises, as a single-layer fascia that originates from the peritoneal reflection and descends until its firm adhesion to the prostate capsule. The fascia divides the space providing an anterior and a posterior plane. Anteriorly to the fascia, during the caudal dissection, its firm adhesion to the prostate capsule forces to section it sharply. The cadaveric simulation model allowed an accurate description of Denonvilliers' fascia, defining several planes for anterior dissection of the meso-rectum.

Surgical Anatomy of the Rectovaginal Space: Does a Standalone Rectovaginal Septum or Denonvilliers Fascia Exist in Women?

BACKGROUND: Below the anterior peritoneal reflection, the anterior rectal wall and mesorectum are separated from the posterior vaginal wall by a virtual rectovaginal space. In this space, the description of a specific and independent rectovaginal septum as a female counterpart of Denonvilliers fascia has been the subject of debate over the years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to perform an accurate anatomical study of the rectovaginal area in a cadaveric simulation model of total mesorectal excision to evaluate the possible structures and the dissection planes contained within the rectovaginal space. DESIGN AND SETTING: This is a cadaveric study performed at the University of Valencia. PATIENTS: The pelvises of 25 formalin-preserved female cadavers were dissected. All the included specimens were sectioned in a midsagittal plane, at the level of the middle axis of the anal canal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Careful and detailed dissection was performed to visualize the anatomical structures and potential dissection planes during anterior mesorectal dissection in cadavers. Histological sections were made of the posterior vaginal wall. RESULTS: The rectovaginal space contains loose areolar tissue that allows an easy dissection plane distally. A distinct and independent rectovaginal fascia or septum is not present. The existence of 3 layers fused together in the posterior vaginal wall can be identified more or less precisely because of their different coloration. The histological study confirms this macroscopic arrangement of the posterior vaginal wall in 3 layers: the mucosa, the muscular, and the adventitia. An independent rectovaginal septum can be generated only with a splitting of the adventitia. LIMITATIONS: The cadaveric pelvic specimens of the oldest donors might have had age-related degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The present anatomical study has shown only a plane of loose areolar tissue between the rectal and vaginal wall. We can conclude that there is no independent fascia or septum in the rectovaginal space. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B456. ANATOMÍA QUIRÚRGICA DEL ESPACIO RECTOVAGINAL: ¿EXISTE UN TABIQUE RECTOVAGINAL INDEPENDIENTE O UNA FASCIA DE DENONVILLIERS EN LAS MUJERES: Debajo del reflejo peritoneal anterior, la pared rectal anterior y el mesorrecto están separados de la pared vaginal posterior por un espacio rectovaginal virtual. En este espacio, la descripción de un tabique rectovaginal independiente específico como contraparte femenina de la fascia de Denonvilliers ha sido objeto de debate a lo largo de los años.Realizar un estudio anatómico preciso del área rectovaginal en un modelo de simulación cadavérica de escisión mesorrectal total, con el fin de evaluar las posibles estructuras y los planos de disección contenidos en el espacio rectovaginal.estudio cadavérico realizado en la Universidad de Valencia.Se disecaron las pelvis de 25 cadáveres femeninos conservados en formalina. Todas las muestras incluidas fueron seccionadas en un plano medio sagital, a la altura del eje medio del canal anal.Se llevó a cabo una disección cuidadosa y detallada para visualizar las estructuras anatómicas y los posibles planos de disección durante la disección mesorrectal anterior en cadáveres. Se realizaron cortes histológicos de la pared vaginal posterior.El espacio rectovaginal contiene tejido areolar laxo que permite un plano de disección fácil distalmente. No hay fascia o tabique rectovaginal distinto e independiente. La existencia de tres capas fusionadas en la pared vaginal posterior puede identificarse con mayor o menor precisión debido a su diferente coloración. El estudio histológico confirma esta disposición macroscópica de la pared vaginal posterior en tres capas: la mucosa, la muscular y la adventicia. Un tabique rectovaginal independiente solo se puede generar con una división de la adventicia.Las muestras pélvicas de cadáveres de los donantes más antiguos pueden haber tenido degeneración relacionada con la edad.El estudio anatómico actual solo ha mostrado un plano de tejido areolar laxo entre la pared rectal y vaginal. Podemos concluir que no hay fascia o tabique independiente en el espacio rectovaginal. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B456. (Traducción-Dr. Adrian Ortega).