[Perineoscrotal pain after InVance suburethral sling: Cadavre anatomical study]

The authors investigated the anatomical basis for prolonged perineoscrotal pain after InVance bone-anchored male sling for the treatment of urinary incontinence after prostatic surgery in order to propose technical advice to reduce the frequency of this complication.

The authors dissected three formalin-preserved male cadavres and reviewed the literature on perineal anatomy and complications of the surgical technique.

Cadavre dissections demonstrated the origin, course and termination of the perineal nerve, a branch of the pudendal nerve derived from the S2-S3-S4 sacral nerve roots. Its superficial branch, accompanied by its blood supply, ensures sensory innervation of the anterior part of the perineum and posterior surface of the scrotum. This branch is situated in the zone of lateral dissection towards ischiopubic rami. Potential lesions of this nerve could be due to coagulation of the vascular pedicle, stretching during lateral dissection towards ischiopubic rami, or damage to its anastomoses with the scrotal branch of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh during exposure of the sites of implantation of ischiopubic screws.

Trauma to the superficial perineal nerve is probably responsible for perineoscrotal pain after InVance perineal surgery. This operative trauma must therefore be reduced by identifying the bulbourethral muscle before dissecting laterally and by limiting the use of coagulation.