[The indications for autonomic nerve-sparing surgery in rectal cancer patients]

Although extended lymph node dissection was developed to improve the therapeutic result in advanced rectal cancer in the 1970s, postoperative dysfunction remained problematic. Informed consent of cancer is generalized at present. The balance between complete cure and functional preservation is important. Therefore the autonomic nerve-sparing surgical technique for rectal cancer was introduce din the 1980s. The success of nerve-sparing surgery depends on a thorough knowledge of pelvic anatomy, especially the anatomic relationship between the pelvic plexus and internal intestinal vessels. Further investigation is required to clarify the indications for autonomic nerve-sparing surgery in rectal cancer patients.