Practical surgical anatomy for radical prostatectomy.

Practical guidelines in surgical anatomy for radical prostatectomy can be summarized as follows: 1. There is significant individual variation in the anatomy of the male pelvis. 2. The prostate is covered anteriorly by a prominent detrusor apron. 3. Prostates vary with respect to size and shape. 4. BPH compresses and flattens the peripheral zone. 5. In reality, the puboprostatic ligaments are pubovesical ligaments. 6. The dorsal vein complex of the penis is a neurovascular plexus of veins, arteries, and nerves situated primarily ventral to the prostate and urethra. 7. The urethra from the verumontanum to the penile bulb is sphincteric, with its smooth muscle and elastic tissue components primarily responsible for postprostatectomy urinary continence. 8. Multiple micropedicles tether the neurovascular bundles along the entire posterolateral aspect of the prostate.