Useful Pelvic Retroperitoneal Neuroanatomy for Benign Gynecologic Surgery: A Cadaveric Dissection

Knowledge of the retroperitoneal anatomy is particularly important to facilitate surgical procedure and reduce the number of complications. The objective of this video is to demonstrate pelvic neuroanatomic structures and their relationships in the pelvic sidewall and the presacral space in a laparoscopic cadaveric dissection.

Case report (anatomic study).

Medical training center (AdventHealth Nicholson Center, Orlando, FL).

The dissection started with the mobilization of the iliac vessels from the pelvic sidewall to identify the obturator nerve. The peritoneum of the ovarian fossa was opened, and the ureter was dissected up to the level of the uterine artery. The hypogastric nerve was identified. The close relationship between the ovarian fossa and the obturator nerve could be demonstrated. The deep dissection of the obturator fossa allowed for the identification of the lumbosacral trunk, S1, the sciatic nerve, S2, S3, S4, and the splanchnic nerves. Then, the ischial spine and the sacrospinous ligament were identified. The pudendal nerve and vessels could be observed passing below the sacrospinous ligament, entering the pudendal canal (Alcock's canal). The presacral space was dissected, and the hypogastric fascia was opened. S1 to S4 were identified coming from the sacral foramens. The laparoscopic dissection, using the cadaveric model, allowed for the development of the entire retroperitoneal anatomy, focusing on the dissection of the pelvic innervation. Anatomic relationships among the ureter, the hypogastric nerve, the uterosacral ligament, the splanchnic nerves, the inferior hypogastric plexus, and the organs (bowel, vagina, uterus, and bladder) could be demonstrated.

A laparoscopic cadaveric dissection can be used as a resource to demonstrate and educate surgeons about the neurologic retroperitoneal structures and their relationships.