Variability in superior hypogastric plexus morphology and its clinical applications: a cadaveric study

BACKGROUND: The superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) that is formed anterior to the aorta and the sacral promontory and is located anterior to the L5-S1 vertebrae, normally continues as the inferior hypogastric plexus. Several variations have been described from a single trunk to a plexiform arrangement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SHP was dissected in 35 formalized cadavers. RESULTS: A single thin and rounded nerve was found in 17.14% of subjects. The type of a wide reticular formation was observed in 28.57% of specimens. Interestingly, a band-like nerve trunk consisting of nerve bundles connected with loose connective tissue was evident in 22.85% of cadavers. Eventually, two distinct nerves at a short distance with each other were found in 31.44% of subjects. Furthermore, we found that branches of the major and minor splanchnic nerves contributed to SHP constitution. We provided, additionally, the topographic anatomy of the SHP with regard to the sacral promontory and the abdomen midline. CONCLUSION: A detailed knowledge of the course, the morphology, the various forms and the topography of the SHP is of outmost significance for several clinical specialties.     

全直肠系膜切除相关盆自主神经的解剖学观察

目的：阐述全直肠系膜切除术相关盆自主神经的局部解剖学特点，探讨盆自主神经保留的部位和对策。方法：对20具男性盆腔固定标本进行解剖观察。结果：腹主动脉丛远离肠系膜下动脉起点；上腹下丛贴近骶岬表面；腹下神经部分毗邻输尿管；盆内脏神经伴行直肠中动脉外侧部；下腹下丛位于直肠系膜后外侧；其直肠侧支走行于直肠侧韧带内，直肠前支向前穿过Denonvilliers筋膜后叶；勃起神经位于Denonvilliers筋膜前叶外侧部。结论：盆自主神经保留的部位是：离断肠系膜下血管时的腹主动脉丛左干，直肠后分离时的上腹下丛和腹下神经，直肠侧面分离时的下腹下丛和盆内脏神经，直肠前分离时的勃起神经。共同原则是：在直肠后间隙中贴近直肠系膜操作；直视下操作；避免过度牵引直肠系膜。     

直肠癌手术相关腹膜后自主神经的筋膜解剖学观察

目的　从临床解剖学和组织学角度进一步阐明盆自主神经的筋膜层次。 方法　选取7具尸体标本和52例接受腹腔镜直肠癌切除手术的病人,观察其自主神经与肾前筋膜-骶前筋膜的关系。切取尸体降乙结肠系膜与主髂动脉之间、直肠系膜与骶骨骨膜之间的腹膜后组织做组织学检查。 结果　解剖学观察显示,腹主动脉丛、上腹下丛、腹下神经、下腹下丛位于肾前筋膜-骶前筋膜后外侧。组织学检查显示：神经纤维位于筋膜后,部分较细的纤维位于筋膜内。 结论　自主神经位于肾前筋膜-骶前筋膜后外侧。保持这一筋膜的完整性,是直肠癌手术中保护自主神经的解剖学基础和基本方法。     

Anatomy of the presacral venous plexus: implications for rectal surgery

The presacral venous plexus results from anastomoses between the lateral and median sacral veins, and courses into the pelvic fascia covering the anterior aspect of the body of the sacrum. The presacral venous plexus is not directly visible during rectal surgery, and injuries to this plexus may be life-threatening. Dissection of the retrorectal plane or anchoring of the rectum to the sacral promontory as in rectal prolapse surgery exposes the patient to the risk of injury to the presacral venous plexus. The aim of this study was to identify some avascular areas in the anterior aspect of the sacrum in order to lower the occurrence of such injuries during rectal surgery. The pelvis of 10 fresh cadavers was dissected after injection of a colored resin into the inferior vena cava, and the presacral venous plexus was studied. Four avascular tetragonal areas were common to all the specimens. The corners of a square with a side of 3 cm, centered on the anterior aspect of the body of sacrum, were always contained in the avascular areas. The upper side of this square was parallel to a line passing through the sacral promontory, at a 3 cm distance from it. Staples or sutures should be placed in the avascular areas to avoid injuries to the presacral venous plexus.     

The anatomy of the infrarenal lumbar splanchnic nerves in human cadavers: implications for retroperitoneal nerve‐sparing surgery

Injury to the nerves of the aortic‐ and superior hypogastric plexuses during retroperitoneal surgery often results in significant post‐operative complications, including retrograde ejaculation and/or loss of seminal emission in males. Although previous characterizations of these plexuses have done well to provide a basis for understanding the typical anatomy, additional research into the common variations of these plexuses could further optimize nerve‐sparing techniques for retroperitoneal surgery. To achieve this, the present study aimed to document the prevalence and positional variability of the infrarenal lumbar splanchnic nerves (LSNs) through gross dissection of 26 human cadavers. In almost all cases, two LSNs were observed joining each side of the aortic plexus, with 48% (left) and 33% (right) of specimens also exhibiting a third joining inferior to the left renal vein. As expected, the position of the LSNs varied greatly between specimens. That said, the vast majority (98%) of LSNs joining the aortic plexus were found to originate from the lumbar sympathetic trunk above the level of the inferior mesenteric artery. It was also found that, within specimens, adjacent LSNs often coursed in parallel. In addition to these nerves, 85% of specimens also demonstrated retroaortic LSN(s) that were angled more inferior compared with the other LSNs (P < 0.05), and exhibited a unique course between the aorta/common iliac arteries and the left common iliac vein before joining the superior hypogastric plexus below the aortic bifurcation. These findings may have significant implications for surgeons attempting nerve‐sparing procedures of the sympathetic nerves in the infrarenal retroperitoneum such as retroperitoneal lymphadenectomies. We anticipate that the collective findings of the current study will help improve such retroperitoneal nerve‐sparing surgical procedures, which may assist in preserving male ejaculatory function post‐operatively.     

Topography of the pelvic autonomic nervous system and its potential impact on surgical intervention in the pelvis

Bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction caused by iatrogenic lesions of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) are well known and commonly tolerated in pelvic surgery. Because the pelvic autonomic nerves are difficult to define and dissect in surgery, and their importance often ignored, we conducted a gross anatomic study of 90 adult and four fetal hemipelves. Using various non-surgical approaches, the anatomic relations and pathways of the IHP were dissected. The IHP extended from the sacrum to the genital organs at the level of the lower sacral vertebrae. It originated from three different sources: the hypogastric nerve, the sacral splanchnic nerves from the sacral sympathetic trunk (mostly the S2 ganglion), and the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which branched primarily from the third and fourth sacral ventral rami. These fibers converge to form a uniform nerve plate medial to the vascular layer and deep to the peritoneum. The posterior portion of the IHP supplied the rectum and the anterior portion of the urogenital organs; nerve fibers traveled directly from the IHP to the anterolateral wall of the rectum and to the inferolateral and posterolateral aspects of the urogenital organs. The autonomic supply from the IHP was supplemented by nerves accompanying the ureter and the arteries. An understanding of the location of the autonomic pelvic network, including important landmarks, should help prevent iatrogenic injury through the adoption of surgical techniques that reduce or prevent postoperative autonomic dysfunction.     

Identification of the origin of adrenergic and cholinergic nerve fibers within the superior hypogastric plexus of the human fetus

Nerve fibers contributing to the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) and the hypogastric nerves (HN) are currently considered to comprise an adrenergic part of the autonomic nervous system located between vertebrae (T1 and L2), with cholinergic aspects originating from the second to fourth sacral spinal segments (S2, S3 and S4). The aim of this study was to identify the origin and the nature of the nerve fibers within the SHP and the HN, especially the cholinergic fibers, using computer-assisted anatomic dissection (CAAD). Serial histological sections were performed at the level of the lumbar spine and pelvis in five human fetuses between 14 and 30 weeks of gestation. Sections were treated with histological staining [hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson''s trichrome (TriM)] and with immunohistochemical methods to detect nerve fibers (anti-S100), adrenergic fibers (anti-TH), cholinergic fibers (anti-VAChT) and nitrergic fibers (anti-nNOS). The sections were then digitalized using a high-resolution scanner and the 3D images were reconstructed using winsurf software. These experiments revealed the coexistence of adrenergic and cholinergic fibers within the SHP and the HNs. One-third of these cholinergic fibers were nitrergic fibers [anti-VACHT (+)/anti-NOS (+)] and potentially pro-erectile, while the others were non-nitrergic [anti-VACHT (+)/anti-NOS (−)]. We found these cholinergic fibers arose from the lumbar nerve roots. This study described the nature of the SHP nerve fibers which gives a better understanding of the urinary and sexual dysfunctions after surgical injuries.     

Quantitative anatomical study of male pelvic autonomic plexus and its clinical potential in rectal resection

The pelvic autonomic nerves innervate the pelvic viscera, and carry a high risk of damage during surgery. This high risk has been ascribed to the complex interrelationship of pelvic paravisceral structures and the difficulty in identifying particular structures, despite the fact that the anatomic characteristics of the pelvic autonomic plexus have been well documented. We dissected ten male embalmed adult cadavers with particular attention to the quantitative parameters of the pelvic plexus and its subsidiary plexus. The right inferior hypogastric plexus and its rectal branch were found to be significantly longer and wider than the left one, while the transverse diameter of the vesical and prostatic branches of the left side was significantly larger the right. The inferior mesenteric plexus gave off fibers directly to form the pelvic plexus in four of 20 hemipelves (20%). In the side-by-side comparison, the distance to midpoint of the sacral promontory of the left rectal plexus was significantly longer than that of the right, whereas the maximum length (the length of the longest nerve fiber from origin to corresponding organ) of the left vesical plexus was significantly shorter than that of the right. Additionally, the craniocaudal and dorsoventral diameters of the right pelvic autonomic plexus were significantly shorter those of the left. The quantitative parameters relating to the pelvic autonomic plexuses not only can enhance our understanding of its anatomy and function, but can also be used as references for surgical procedures and robot-assisted surgery.     

肠系膜下动脉根部自主神经保护的解剖学基础

目的　观察肠系膜下动脉（IMA）根部与其周围自主神经的解剖学关系,为肠系膜下动脉根部自主神经保护提供解剖学证据。 方法　7例10%福尔马林固定标本进行大体解剖及显微解剖;2例新鲜标本模拟腹腔镜下直肠癌D3根治术中肠系膜下动脉根部自主神经的显露和保护。 结果　上腹下丛(SHP)的左、右侧束及束间交通支与肠系膜下动脉根部关系密切。右侧束距离肠系膜下动脉根部较远,位于肾前筋膜下。以左侧束降支为界,其近端,上腹下丛左侧束、肠系膜下丛、腹主动脉丛紧贴肠系膜下动脉根部左侧壁并相互延续,其远端左侧束走行于肾前筋膜下。左侧束降支距离IMA起点的距离不恒定。 结论　在肾前筋膜前平面分离可有效保护上腹下丛右侧束及侧束间交通支;以SHP左侧束降支作为肠系膜下动脉根部离断的解剖学标志可以有效保护左侧束。     

骶髂关节周围腰骶丛神经的解剖学研究及其临床意义

目的　对腹直肌外侧入路显露骶髂关节周围重要结构的位置关系进行测量及描述,探讨入路的安全性及安全操作空间。 方法 选取新鲜成人完整尸体标本,对每具骨盆标本经双侧腹直肌入路逐层解剖,观察腹膜、髂外血管、髂腰肌、闭孔神经等重要组织结构的位置关系,重点观测L4、L5、S1神经与闭孔神经位置,测量分析神经至骶髂关节的距离。 结果　腹直肌外侧入路可清楚显露骶髂关节、腰骶干、S1神经根、骶骨翼等结构。 L5神经前支出椎间孔处与骶髂关节距离左侧为(23.56±4.30)mm,右侧为(23.69±3.41)mm,L4神经前支与骶髂关节在L5神经前支出椎间孔处的距离左侧为(17.97±1.58)mm,右侧为(17.49±1.49)mm,腰骶干外缘在其形成汇合点平面与骶髂关节的水平距离左侧为(14.34±2.51)mm,右侧为(13.81±2.21)mm,平骶岬处腰骶干外缘与骶髂关节的水平距离左侧为(12.19±1.98)mm,右侧为(12.22±1.55)mm。 结论　腹直肌外侧入路可用于复位固定骶髂关节周围骨折脱位,具有安全的操作空间,且经该入路的操作为骶髂关节复合体损伤引起的神经损伤提供了探查松解的新思路。     

Extrinsic innervation of the pelvic organs in the lesser pelvis of human embryos

Realistic models to understand the developmental appearance of the pelvic nervous system in mammals are scarce. We visualized the development of the inferior hypogastric plexus and its preganglionic connections in human embryos at 4–8 weeks post-fertilization, using Amira 3D reconstruction and Cinema 4D-remodelling software. We defined the embryonic lesser pelvis as the pelvic area caudal to both umbilical arteries and containing the hindgut. Neural crest cells (NCCs) appeared dorsolateral to the median sacral artery near vertebra S1 at ~5 weeks and had extended to vertebra S5 1 day later. Once para-arterial, NCCs either formed sympathetic ganglia or continued to migrate ventrally to the pre-arterial region, where they formed large bilateral inferior hypogastric ganglionic cell clusters (IHGCs). Unlike more cranial pre-aortic plexuses, both IHGCs did not merge because the 'pelvic pouch', a temporary caudal extension of the peritoneal cavity, interposed. Although NCCs in the sacral area started to migrate later, they reached their pre-arterial position simultaneously with the NCCs in the thoracolumbar regions. Accordingly, the superior hypogastric nerve, a caudal extension of the lumbar splanchnic nerves along the superior rectal artery, contacted the IHGCs only 1 day later than the lumbar splanchnic nerves contacted the inferior mesenteric ganglion. The superior hypogastric nerve subsequently splits to become the superior hypogastric plexus. The IHGCs had two additional sources of preganglionic innervation, of which the pelvic splanchnic nerves arrived at ~6.5 weeks and the sacral splanchnic nerves only at ~8 weeks. After all preganglionic connections had formed, separate parts of the inferior hypogastric plexus formed at the bladder neck and distal hindgut.     

直肠癌患者及健康人群直肠及周围解剖结构的高分辨MRI观察

目的 应用高分辨MRI观察直肠肠壁及其周围解剖细节,为直肠癌的临床诊断和治疗提供解剖参数和依据。 方法 收集60名健康人及20例直肠癌患者的盆腔多序列参数MRI;两位高年资医师行双盲法阅片,对20例直肠癌患者行术前T分期并与术后病理对照,分析准确率;统计分析60名正常人直肠固有筋膜前、后、左、右侧的MRI显示率,以及所有研究对象的骶前筋膜、骶骨筋膜、腹膜返折、直肠侧韧带、下腹下丛的MRI显示率。结果 高分辨MRI可以清楚地显示直肠壁的黏膜层、黏膜下层和固有肌层,直肠癌术前T分期的总准确率为80%（16/20）。健康人直肠固有筋膜前、后、左、右侧的MRI显示率分别为71.7% （43/60）、96.7%（58/60）、90.0%（54/60）和83.3%（56/60）。Denonvillier′s筋膜、骶前筋膜、直肠骶骨筋膜、腹膜返折及下腹下丛的MRI显示率分别为68.8%（55/80）、65.0%（52/80）、87.8%（69/80）、86.3%（69/80）和90.0%（72/80）;直肠侧韧带的显示率较低,左侧为53.8%（43/80）,右侧为47.6%（38/80）。结论 高分辨MRI可以辨识直肠肠壁及其周围解剖细节,帮助直肠癌术前T分期及制定临床治疗方案,判断全直肠系膜切除手术的侧切缘是否浸润,提高微转移癌灶的手术切除率,减少手术并发症。     

腹腔镜入路骶神经电刺激器植入的解剖学特点及其临床意义

目的　讨论腹腔镜下骶前方植入骶神经电刺激电极手术入路解剖及手术可行性。 方法　在20具成人尸体标本上模拟腹腔镜下显露骶骨前第2~4骶神经前支手术,观察骶骨前方第2~4骶神经前支的形态特征和骶孔周围可能损伤重要血管的区域。 结果　第2~4骶神经前支出骶前孔至汇成骶丛的长度：S2左(32.62±3.15) mm,右(31.46±3.28) mm;S3左(21.96±2.59) mm,右(20.61±3.14) mm;S4左(15.04±1.64) mm,右(16.09±1.38) mm。骶外侧动脉的脊支动脉进入骶前孔的方位主要为内上象限。臀下动脉穿过神经时比较偏外侧靠近神经汇合处。骶椎旁静脉在第2~4骶前孔处与骶外侧动脉伴行,脊支静脉出骶前孔的位置与动脉一致。 结论　骶骨前方第2~4骶神经前支游离的长度能够达到硬膜外型骶神经电刺激器电极植入的要求。手术中骶前孔内侧为血管易损伤的危险区域。     

骶骨骨折的解剖学观察及临床意义

目的:为提高骶骨骨折的诊断率及选择治疗方法提供依据。方法:选正常骶骨标本(50块),骶骨骨折标本(28块),测量这些骶骨标本每条横线中点距骶骨翼边缘的水平距离,测量骶前孔、骶后孔横径、骶孔的前、后径,将所有骶骨标本左右侧对应值进行比较。结果:正常骶骨每条横线中点距左右骶骨翼水平距离无显著差异,骶前孔、骶后孔左右侧无明显差异。侧块压缩性骨折、横行骨折引起骶前孔变形、变小,侧块压缩性骨折骨折侧横线中点距骶骨翼边缘水平距离较正常侧明显变小,位置越高两侧差异越大。骶后孔、骶管变形、变小在骶骨骨折标本不明显。结论:骶骨侧块压缩性骨折、横行骨折时骶骨失去对称性,骶前孔变形、变小是造成骶神经损伤原因之一,临床上应注意骶前孔的变化,检查骶神经功能,应将扩大骶前孔进行骶神经减压放在首位。     

Development of the human hypogastric nerve sheath with special reference to the topohistology between the nerve sheath and other prevertebral fascial structures

Semi-serial sections from the lumbosacral region of nine fetuses (8-25 weeks gestation) were examined to clarify the lumbar prevertebral fascial arrangement. The prevertebral fasciae became evident after 12 weeks of age. After 20 weeks of age, the hypogastric nerve (HGN) was sandwiched by two fascial structures; the ventral fascia which seemed to correspond to the mesorectal fascia, whereas the dorsal fascia corresponded to the presacral fascia. These fasciae or the HGN sheaths extended laterally along the ventral aspects of the great vessels and associated lymph follicles. The ventral fascia is, to some extent, fused with the mesocolon descendens on the left side of the body. Notably, the lateral continuation of these two fasciae also sandwiches the left ureter, but not the right ureter, presumably due to modifications by the left-sided fusion fascia. A hypothetical common sheath for the HGN and ureter (i.e., the ureterohypogastric or vesicohypogastric fascia) might thus be an oversimplification. Before retroperitoneal fixation, the morphology of the peritoneal recess along the mesocolon descendens and mesosigmoid suggested interindividual differences in location, shape, and size. Therefore, in adults the ease of surgical separation of the rectum and left-sided colon from the HGN seems to depend on interindividual differences in the development of the embryonic peritoneal recess. On the caudal side of the second sacral segment, fascial structures were restricted along and around the HGN, pelvic splanchnic nerve, and pelvic plexus. The rectal lateral ligament thus seems to represent a kind of migration fascia formed by mechanical stress.     

The female inferior hypogastric (= pelvic) plexus: anatomical and radiological description of the plexus and its afferences—applications to pelvic surgery

AIM OF THE STUDY: We wanted to determine the anatomical features of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP), and the useful landmarks for a safe surgical approach during pelvic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We dissected the IHP in 22 formolized female anatomical subjects, none of which bore any stigmata of subumbilical surgery. RESULTS: The inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) is a triangle with a posterior base and an anterior inferior top. It can be described as having three edges and three angles; its inferior edge stretches constantly from the fourth sacral root to the ureter's point of entry into the posterior layer of the broad ligament; its cranial edge is strictly parallel to the posterior edge of the hypogastric artery, along which it runs at a distance of 10 mm; its posterior (dorsal) edge is at the point of contact with the sacral roots, from which it receives its afferences. They most frequently originate from S3 or S4 (60%) and then, in one or two branches, often from S2 (40%), never from S1 and in exceptional cases from S5 (20%). There are sympathetic afferences in 30% of cases, usually through a single branch of the second, third or fourth sacral ganglion. All IHPs have at least one sacral afference and sometimes there may be up to three afferences from the same sacral root. Its dorsal cranial angle, which is superior, comes after the SHP (hypogastric nerve or presacral nerve filament); its anterior inferior angle is located exactly at the ureter's point of entry into the posterior layer of the broad ligament. This is the top of the IHP; its posterior inferior angle is located at the point of contact with the fourth sacral root. At its entrance at the base of the parametrium the pelvic ureter is the anterior, fundamental positional reference for the IHP. The vaginal efferences come out of the top of the IHP through branches leading to the bladder, the vagina and the rectum, which originate through two trunks exactly underneath the crossing point of the ureter and the uterine artery: (i) one trunk leading to the bladder runs along and underneath the ureter and divides into two groups, which are lateral and medial, trigonal. (ii) the trunk leading to the vagina runs along the inferior edge of the uterine artery. At the point of contact with the lateral edge of the vagina, it splits into two groups: anterior thin and posterior voluminous. Some of its branches perforate the posterior wall of the vagina and are distributed to the rectovaginal septum in a tooth comb pattern. The inferior branches, which emerge from the inferior edge of the IHP, reach the rectum directly. The dissection of the 22 specimens allowed us to describe three efferent plexuses: a vaginal rectal plexus, a vesical plexus and a inferior rectal plexus. So the IHP's anterior, fundamental positional reference is the pelvic ureter at the point where it enters at the base of the parametrium, then at the crossing point of the uterine artery. The ureter is the vector for vesical efferences, the uterine artery is the vector for vaginal efferences, which are thus sent into the vesicovaginal septum and the rectovaginal septum. This surgical point of reference is of vital importance in nerve sparing during the course of a simple or extended hysterectomy. Any dissection carried out underneath and outside of the ureter inevitably carries a risk of lesions to its efferent, lateral vesical or medial, rectovaginal fibres.     

The developmental anatomy of the human superior hypogastric plexus: A morphometrical investigation with clinical and surgical correlations

The superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) is the part of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for the sympathetic innervation of pelvic organs and extrapelvic genitals in humans of both sexes. The SHP also functions as the anatomic pathway for the major part of visceral sensitive fibers originating from pelvic viscera. In this study, the morphology of the SHP was analyzed through anatomical dissections performed both in human adult and fetal cadavers. A computerized morphometrical investigation of the SHP was also performed and the resulting quantitative data statistically assessed. The comparison between fetal and adult SHP revealed that in the male group there was a developmental increase of six times (in height) and of about five times (in width); while in the female group, there was a developmental increase of 3.5 times both in height and width values. In addition, the distance from the superior border of the SHP to the bifurcation of the common iliac arteries presented a developmental increase of about six times in the male group, and about four times in the female group. We propose an original morphological classification with six types, based upon the anatomical arrangement of the nervous fibers in this autonomic plexus.     

Surgical anatomy of the presacral area

Objective  L5–S1 instabilities can be fixated using minimally invasive presacral approach. The close relationship between the sacrum and neurovascular as well as intestinal structures may complicate the procedure during this approach. This requires knowledge regarding the normal anatomy of the presacral area to avoid the iatrogenic injuries. The aim of this study was to measure the distance between the sacrum and the structures anterior to it. Materials and methods  The measurements were performed on ten cadavers fixed with formaldehyde and ten MR imaging studies on individuals without any pathology in the presacral area. The distances between the sacrum and the presacral structures (i.e., middle and lateral sacral arteries, sympathetic trunks, internal iliac arteries and veins, and colon/rectum) were measured. Results  Cadaver study showed that the middle sacral artery was located on the right side in 55.0%, on the left side in 31.7%, and on the midline in the 13.3% of cases. The distance between the sacral midline and middle sacral artery was found to be 8.0 ± 5.4, 9.0 ± 4.9, 8.7 ± 6.0, 8.6 ± 6.4, and 4.7 ± 5.0 mm at the levels of S1–2, S2–3, S3–4, S4–5, and S5–coccyx, respectively. The distance between the sacral midline and the sympathetic trunk ranged between 22.4 ± 5.8 and 9.5 ± 3.2 mm in different levels between S1 and coccygeal level. The study also showed that the distance between the posterior wall of the intestine (colon/rectum) and the ventral surface of the sacrum can be as close as 11.44 ± 7.69 mm on MR images. Conclusion  This study showed that there was close distance between the sacral midline and the structures anterior to it. The close relationships, as well as the potential for anatomical variations, require the use of sacral and presacral imaging before presacral approach.     

男性盆腔内脏神经的解剖学研究及其临床意义

男性盆腔内脏神经与盆筋膜及盆内脏器的毗邻关系复杂,且个体形态学差异大,临床上涉及肛肠外科、泌尿外科、男科等多个学科,应用甚广。近年来,对内脏神经的术中保护越来越受到重视。男性盆腔内脏神经主要包括上腹下丛、腹下神经、下腹下丛(即盆丛)、盆内脏神经、膀胱丛、前列腺丛、直肠丛及其分支等。现已证明盆腔内脏神经的损伤会给患者的排便、排尿及阴茎勃起等造成功能障碍。熟悉男性盆腔内脏神经及其分支的形态特点及其与周围结构的关系,能降低手术并发症,提高患者术后生活质量。