Cadaveric dissection for the rectal surgeon.

The benefits of total mesorectal excision are due to the complete excision of the mesorectum with preservation of the pelvic autonomic nerve plexuses, the hypogastric nerves and nervi erigentes. Several important structures are incompletely seen at operation, and cadaveric dissection of an intact lower trunk and a sagittally hemisected pelvis is a valuable exercise in demonstrating them. A method for dissection is described which illustrates the key anatomical points.