Tridimensional computer-assisted anatomic dissection of posterolateral prostatic neurovascular bundles.

BACKGROUND

Detailed knowledge of nerve distribution in the neurovascular bundle (NVB) is essential to preserve sexual function after prostatic surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the location as well as the type (adrenergic, cholinergic, and sensory) of nerve fibres within the NVB and to provide a three-dimensional (3D) representation of their structural relationship in the human male foetus.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND

PARTICIPANTS

Serial transverse sections were performed every 150-200 microm in the pelvic portion of six human male foetuses (15-20 wk of gestation). Sections were treated with histologic and immunohistochemical methods (hematin-eosin-safran, Luxol Fast Blue, immunolabelling of protein S100, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, tyrosine hydroxylase, calcitonin gene-related peptide, and substance P). The 3D pelvic reconstruction was obtained from digitised serial sections using WinSurf software.

MEASUREMENTS: NVB nerve location and type were evaluated qualitatively.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: The 3D reconstruction allowed precise identification of pelvic organ innervation. Nerve fibres derived from the inferior hypogastric plexus followed two courses: posterior and lateral, providing cholinergic, adrenergic, and sensory innervation to seminal vesicles, vas deferens, prostate, and urethral sphincter. Cavernous nerve fibres did not strictly follow the NVB course; they were distributed at several levels, in a fanlike formation. The main limitations of this study were the limited number of specimens available due to legal restriction and the time-consuming nature of the manually performed stages in the method.

CONCLUSIONS

The distribution of nerve fibres within the posterolateral prostatic NVB and the existence of mixed innervation in the posterior and lateral fibre courses at the level of the prostate and seminal vesicles give us an insight into how to minimise effects on sexual function during prostatic surgery. The 3D computer-assisted anatomic dissection represents an original method of applying anatomic knowledge to surgical technique to improve nerve preservation and decrease postoperative sexual complications.