[Preserving autonomic nerves in rectal surgery. Results of surgical preparation on human cadavers with fixed pelvic...

Preservation of sexual function and voiding capacity after rectal cancer surgery has increased after adopting the technique of nerve-sparing dissection and total mesorectal excision. Still the rate of sexual and urinary dysfunction ranges between 25 and 67%. The precise locations where nerve damage occurs have not been looked at systematically.

In ten human corpses and two formalin-fixed human pelvises the autonomous pelvic nerves were isolated. Their relation according to surgical mobilization of the rectum were photodocumented.

Pelvic autonomous nerves are clearly defined structures with only minor interindividual variability. The inferior mesenteric plexus forms a dense network around the inferior mesenteric artery (AMI) to a distance of 5 cm from the aorta. The distance between the lateral rectum and the pelvic plexus is only 2-3 mm. The anterior rectum is almost directly adherent to the neurovascular bundle, separated only by Denonvillier's fascia. The parasympathetic branches of the sacral segments S2-S5 cannot be isolated using the standard surgical approach.

(1) The nomenclature of fascias and the course of the autonomous pelvic nerves is not clearly defined in the literature; (2) a high tie of the AMI leads to damage of the sympathetic nerves; (3) the narrow space between the anterior and lateral rectum makes sharp dissection under direct vision necessary; (4) fascias and nerves can be used as guiding structures during mobilization; (5) a preservation of selected parasympathetic roots in the small pelvis is not feasible using the standard surgical approach.