腹腔镜下直肠癌根治术保留自主神经的解剖和技术要点

全直肠系膜切除术（TME）是目前国际公认的直肠癌标准术式,随着腹腔镜技术的推广和TME手术的普及,盆腔植物神经保护（PANP）的理念逐渐受到重视。本文根据作者经验和结合国内外文献,介绍保留PANP相关的新认识和技术进展。笔者认为,在开展直肠癌TME手术时,有六个部位容易发生盆腔植物神经损伤,需要识别和保护：肠系膜下动脉根部的肠系膜下丛,上腹下神经丛及腹下神经的近端,盆丛前丛的近端,盆丛后丛的主干,盆丛后丛的终末支,盆腔内脏神经以及血管神经束（NVB）。要完整保留PANP,需要熟悉盆腔筋膜解剖层次和神经走行在层次部位,在直肠固有筋膜和腹下神经输尿管前筋膜之间分离,可以完好地保留腹盆腔自主神经系统,以筋膜层膜为导向,进行筋膜之间分离,以神经为导向,实现精准直肠癌手术,对于提高手术质量,保护器官功能至关重要。     

3D腹腔镜下直肠癌根治术中植物神经保护的研究

随着腹腔镜技术的迅速发展,腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术（TME）已成为直肠癌的标准手术。然而,低、中位直肠癌患者术后膀胱功能及性功能障碍的发生率仍较高。如何避免盆腔自主神经损伤尤为重要。与传统的二维腹腔镜手术相比,三维腹腔镜手术还原了真实的三维视野、出现了纵深感,能更清晰地显示直肠周围层,减少盆腔自主神经损伤。近两年来本中心开展了3D腹腔镜下TME手术千余例。本文将探讨三维腹腔镜手术中自主神经保护的经验和技巧,包括盆腔自主神经解剖、手术方法的选择和手术中的要点。     

低位前切除术与经腹会阴联合切除术治疗中低位直肠癌疗效比较

直肠癌外科治疗的主要肠道重建方式为低位前切除术（EAR）和腹会阴联合切除术（APR）,全直肠系膜切除术（TME）是中低位直肠癌治疗的标准手术。为探讨在TME前提下肠道重建方式对直肠癌预后的影响,本文回顾分析了中低位直肠癌患者用LAR、APR术式治疗的相关临床资料。现报告如下。     

Denonvilliers筋膜的微创解剖认识及其临床价值

1836年,法国外科学家Charles-Pierre Denonvilliers首次描述在男性的直肠与膀胱、精囊腺和前列腺之间存在薄层致密组织,后被称为Denonvilliers筋膜。1982年英国外科学家R.J. Heald教授提出全直肠系膜切除术（TME）理念,历经数十年的临床实践,TME已成为中低位直肠癌手术的金标准。根据TME理念,直肠后方及侧方均应在盆筋膜壁层内面与直肠固有筋膜间分离,而在直肠前方于Denonvilliers筋膜前方分离、肿瘤下方2 cm处倒U形离断并切除部分Denonvilliers筋膜。然而,资料显示,由于盆腔自主神经（PAN）的损伤,TME术后排尿及性功能障碍发生率居高不下。因此,进一步理清盆腔筋膜和自主神经解剖的认识,对于改善患者术后功能尤为重要。在国内外众多学者研究的基础上,我们从胚胎发育学、解剖学、组织学和外科手术角度对盆腔筋膜及外科层面进行深入探索,指出Denonvilliers筋膜不属于直肠固有筋膜的范畴、如非肿瘤浸润应予保留,并提出保留Denonvilliers筋膜全直肠系膜切除术（iTME）的理念;并采用多中心临床试验加以验证。在此基础上我们联合国内直肠癌外科领域专家,发布iTME中国专家共识,旨在提高从业者对神经功能保护的认识,规范手术操作,造福广大患者。     

直肠癌全直肠系膜切除术的若干问题探讨

83例直肠癌患者在根治术中行全直肠系膜切除术（TME）和盆腔自主神经保留术（PANP），观察其疗效并了解术后泌尿和生殖功能情况。术后随访5～38个月。术后肿瘤发生盆腔内局部复发3例，肝转移2例。其中1例行肝转移瘤手术切除，1例行肝动脉介入栓塞。认为直肠癌术中行TME能有效预防和降低直肠癌术后的局部复发率；如同时行PANP，可以改善患者术后的排尿功能与性功能，提高患者的术后生存质量。TME有术后的吻合口瘘发生率增高和直肠、肛门丧失储便功能之弊。     

全直肠系膜切除联合双吻合器在低位直肠癌保肛术中的应用

目的观察全直肠系膜切除（TME）联合双吻合器在低位直肠癌切除术中的应用效果。方法69例直肠癌患者术中采用TME联合双吻合器治疗。结果本组元1例死亡,术后发生吻合瘘2例,吻合口狭窄3例,无排尿及性功能障碍;术后随访5a,吻合口局部复发5例,盆腔软组织复发4例,生存率为60．9％。结论TME联合双吻合器手术是治疗低位直肠癌的有效方法。     

腹腔镜TME与开腹TME治疗直肠癌近期疗效和并发症比较

目的对比分析腹腔镜下全直肠系膜切除术（TME）与开腹TME治疗直肠癌的近期疗效及并发症。方法回顾性分析32例腹腔镜TME（A组）和36例开腹TME（B组）治疗直肠癌患者的临床资料,比较两组手术近期疗效及术后并发症发生率。结果 A组和B组手术时间分别为（195.6±32.8）、（155.2±35.7）min,术中出血量分别为（154.6±91.4）、（302.1±217.3）ml,术后肠道功能恢复时间分别为（32.8±6.8）、（74.2±10.1）h,住院时间分别为（11.8±2.0）、（14.6±2.8）d（P均〈0.05）。术后并发症发生率A组为9.38%,B组为30.56%（P〈0.05）。结论腹腔镜TME治疗直肠癌安全、可行,近期疗效优于开腹手术。     

保留盆腔自主神经的全直肠系膜切除术与双吻合器技术在低位直肠癌患者保肛手术中的临床应用

对于中低位直肠癌,以前多采用Miles术。永久性人工肛门的放置,病人生理上及心理上都会产生障碍,明显降低了病人术后的生存质量。近20年来,通过对直肠癌病理解剖的研究,手术操作技术的改进和器械的改良,直肠癌可行保肛手术的比例明显提高。全直肠系膜切除术(TME)、盆腔自主神经保     

男性盆丛神经的解剖定位及意义

在前列腺癌或膀胱癌根治术中,如保留海绵体神经,则部分患者保留了性功能。反之性功能丧失。故详细了解盆丛神经的分布可避免在下尿路手术中损伤该神经。本研究选用福尔马林固定过的男尸做盆腔局部解剖,观察盆丛神经与盆腔器官的解剖关系,寻找盆丛神经的解剖定位。现将结果报告如下。     

TME在低位直肠癌根治术中的应用效果观察

53例接受低位直肠癌根治术患者，术中应用全直肠系膜切除（TME）与一次性吻合器低位吻合，手术过程均顺利。术中出血量50-180ml，无手术死亡。术后8例肛门排便功能受影响，半年后恢复。1例出现吻合口漏，保守治疗后治愈。45例获随访，时间3个月-5a，8例（14.9％）盆腔局部复发。认为采用TME和吻合器低位吻合保留肛门的方法行低位直肠癌根治术安全可行，效果满意。     

Definition of total mesorectal excision, including the perineal phase: technical considerations

BACKGROUND: Total mesorectal excision (TME) has contributed to a decline in local recurrence. The operation is difficult because of the complicated anatomy of the pelvis and the narrow spaces in the pelvis. We review the anatomy related to TME and we present our surgical technique. ANATOMY: The pelvis can be divided into a parietal compartment and a visceral compartment. Both compartments are covered by a fascial layer: the parietal and the visceral fascia. A space between these fascial layers can be opened by dividing loose areolar tissue. The pelvic autonomic nerves consist of the sympathetic hypogastric nerve and the parasympathetic sacral splanchnic nerve. At the pelvic sidewall these nerves join in the inferior hypogastric plexus. SURGERY: We present our surgical technique based on careful dissection under direct vision and describe our approach to abdominoperineal resection in the knee-chest position. This position enables en bloc resection of the levator ani muscle with the mesorectum, preventing positive circumferential margins in distal rectal tumor. CONCLUSION: TME is a difficult and challenging operation. Continuous attention to surgical technique and anatomy is important to keep up the high standards of contemporary rectal surgery.     

Identification of hiatal ligament for laparoscopic total mesorectal excision

Total mesorectal excision (TME) based operation is now established as a standard procedure for patients with lower or middle third rectal cancer. Laparoscopic surgery has a great advantage in colorectal surgery, with good operative views, as well as benefit to the patients owing to less invasiveness, early recovery and shorter hospitalization. From April 2001 through March 2002, we assessed the laparoscopic TME for eight consecutive patients with rectal cancer in Kobe University Hospital (median age: 65.3). The procedure included sharp mesorectal dissection with high vascular ligation and preservation of autonomic pelvic nerves. During the laparoscopic TME, the hiatal ligament that is the sequence of anococcygeal raphe body can be identified with the traction of the rectum upward, and this fixes the posterior wall of the rectum to the levator hiatus. Resection of the hiatal ligament enables us to isolate the recto-anal canal up to the level of the internal anal sphincter. We conclude that identification of the hiatus ligament is essential to achieve the appropriate laparoscopic TME.     

Total mesorectal excision and preservation of autonomic nerves]

The procedure of total mesorectal excision (TME) becomes a gold standard for the treatment of rectal cancer. The reason is the marvelously low incidence of local recurrence after TME even without other adjuvant treatment, which has been reported by several independent groups. Although controversy still exists about the role of TME in upper rectal cancer, it is now widely accepted for cancers of the middle and lower third. There are number of histopathological evidences that cancer cells can spread distally several centimeters from the lower margin of cancer, and cancer bearing lymph nodes are found in the distal portion of the mesorectal tissues far from the cancer. Therefore, the distal clearance of mesorectum should be performed downwardly to the level of pelvic diaphragm (puborectalis) and the rectum is divided within a few centimeters from the pelvic floor musculature. TME defines an en-bloc procedure, along the plane between parietal and visceral pelvic fasciae. If the dissection plane is breached, the chance of visceral pelvic fascia tearing is raised and mesorectal tissue might reside in the pelvis. There are problems in auditing the procedure. As many surgeons agree, this procedure requires a learning curve. Theoretically, the autonomic nerves run between the visceral and parietal pelvic fasciae since the nerves must be preserved to make visceral fascial envelop. Any patient who become incontinent or impotent after the surgery should have received decorticating surgery other than TME. Thus, the high quality of TME should fulfill two clinical measurements: absence of impotence or incontinence and at least single digit, 5-year, cumulative recurrence rate regardless of adjuvant therapy.     

Technique for laparoscopic autonomic nerve preserving total mesorectal excision

With the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) for treatment of rectal cancer, the prognosis of patients with rectal cancer is improved. With this better prognosis, there is a growing awareness about the quality of life of patients after rectal carcinoma. Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) for rectal cancer offers several advantages in comparison with open total mesorectal excision (OTME), including greater patient comfort and an earlier return to daily activities while preserving the oncologic radicality of the procedure. Moreover, laparoscopy allows good exposure of the pelvic cavity because of magnification and good illumination. The laparoscope seems to facilitate pelvic dissection including identification and preservation of critical structures such as the autonomic nervous system. The technique for laparoscopic autonomic nerve preserving total mesorectal excision is reported. A three- or four-port technique is used. Vascular ligation, sharp mesorectal dissection and identification and preservation of the autonomic pelvic nerves are described.     

Laparoscopic mesorectal excision with preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerves for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic mesorectal excision with preservation of the autonomic pelvic nerves for rectal cancer including selected advanced lower rectal cancer is now challenging. The aims of the study were to assess the surgical results and short-term outcomes of this procedure prospectively. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-four of 281 rectal cancer patients, since the introduction of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in our hospital, have undergone laparoscopic rectal surgery. The location of the tumor distributed in upper rectum; 33, middle; 22, and lower 19. The mesorectal excision with preservation of the autonomic pelvic nerves was performed for all the patients. The laparoscopic mesorectal excision was performed under 8 to 10 cmH2O CO2 pneumoperitoneum and lymph node dissection was performed along the feeding artery depend on individuals. Ipsilateral lateral lymph node dissection was added for 5 cases of advanced lower rectal cancer. RESULTS: Open conversion occurred in 4 cases, 2 of those were due to locally advanced tumors and 2 technical difficulties in transaction of the distal rectum. There were 15 postoperative complications, 7 anastomotic leakage (10.6%), 3 transient urinary retention (4.1%), 4 wound infection (5.3%), and 1 small bowel obstruction (1.4%). No mortality was recorded in this series. Time of operation was 203 +/- 54 min in mesorectal excision cases and 270 +/- 42 min mesorectal excision with lateral lymph node dissection cases. Blood loss was 92 +/- 90g and 276 +/- 66 g respectively. The hospital length-of-stay was 11.7 days in average. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic mesorectal excision with preservation of autonomic pelvic nerves for rectal cancer patients including selected advanced lower rectal cancer is favorable.     

Influence of Identification and Preservation of Pelvic Autonomic Nerves in Rectal Cancer Surgery on Bladder Dysfunction After Total Mesorectal Excision

PURPOSE: Given the improvement in oncologic outcome after the introduction of total mesorectal excision for the treatment of rectal cancer, the objective of the present study was to determine the frequency of identification and preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerves and to identify a possible link between postoperative micturition disturbances and the extent of the radical resection. METHODS: Between March 1997 and December 2001, 150 patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum (16 cm from the anal verge) underwent surgery, with sphincter preservation in 112 cases (74.7 percent). Sixty-three patients (42 percent) were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists Stage III and two (1.3 percent) as Stage IV. The number of cases with complete identification, partial identification, or nonidentification of the autonomic nerves (superior hypogastric plexus, hypogastric nerve, and inferior hypogastric plexus) was documented and correlated with micturition disturbances (need for a long-term urinary catheter). Urine volumes were measured by ultrasound before and after surgery. RESULTS: The pelvic autonomic nerves were identified completely in 108 patients (72 percent), partially in 16 (10.7 percent), and not at all in 26 (17.3 percent). After the initial phase of the study (n = 50 patients), complete identification was realized in 78 percent of cases. Multivariate analysis showed that of the predetermined parameters (learning curve for Group I vs. Groups II or III, gender, T stage, blood loss, curative surgery, and previous surgery), gender (P = 0.006), learning curve (P = 0.019), and depth of penetration of the rectal wall (T1/T2 vs. T3/T4; P = 0.028) exerted an independent influence on achievement of complete pelvic nerve identification. Sixteen patients (10.7 percent) were discharged from the hospital with a urinary catheter. Identification and preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerves was associated with low bladder dysfunction rates (4.5 vs. 38.5 percent; P < 0.001). In the evaluation of preoperative and postoperative bladder function, a urologic history and residual urine volume measurements by ultrasound were essential. The information obtained from urodynamic studies was of no relevance. CONCLUSIONS: Identification and preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerves was achieved in the majority of patients and led to the prevention of urinary dysfunction. Gender (P = 0.006), learning curve (P = 0.019), and T stage are independent parameters that influence outcome.     

Metastasis of rectal cancer to lymph nodes and tissues around the autonomic nerves spared for urinary and sexual function

PURPOSE: To clarify the indications for autonomic nerve-sparing operations for rectal cancer, the presence of lymph nodes and metastasis in the tissue around the autonomic nerve were examined in 28 rectal cancer patients. These were staged as pT2 in 8 patients, pT3 in 19 patients, and pT4 in 1 patient histopathologically. METHODS: The specimens of the autonomic nerve including the inferior mesenteric plexus, preaortic plexus, superior hypogastric plexus, hypogastric nerve, and pelvic plexus were removed with radical abdominopelvic lymphadenectomy after the autonomic nerve-sparing rectal cancer operation. RESULTS: In the tissue around the autonomic nerve, lymph nodes were 11.2±9.6 in number and 2.6±2.4 mm in size (mean ± standard deviation). The frequency of presence of lymph nodes was higher and the number of lymph nodes was larger in the inferior mesenteric plexus (70.4 percent; 3.6) and the preaortic plexus (66.7 percent; 2.1) than in the left and right pelvic plexuses (39.1 percent, 1; 36 percent, 1). Metastasis to the lymph nodes or lymphatic permeation in the tissue around the autonomic nerve were observed in four cases (14.3 percent) of lower rectal cancer, consisting of three with Stage III cancer (pT3, pN1-3, and M0) and one with Stage IV cancer (pT4, pN1, and pM1 (HEP)). CONCLUSION: Radical rectal excision that includes lymph nodes and adjacent tissue around the autonomic nerves may result in metastatic tumor removal that would otherwise be left in situ with nerve-sparing techniques for advanced rectal cancer in Stage III.     

Inferior rectal plexus is no longer isolated in no man’s land

Because of rapid technological progress, precision in rectal cancer therapy has assumed a new dimension. Thus, special attention can be given to the inferior rectal plexus. As a secondary plexus of the inferior hypogastric plexus, its nerve outflow is of great importance for proper pelvic floor function. Our leading question is what the transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) perspective could add to the topographical debate about the inferior rectal plexus. After TaTME cadaver training sessions and during TaTME in patients with rectal carcinoma, we can conclude that trained surgeons are capable of accessing the inferior rectal plexus in their operative field.