Surgical anatomy of the puboprostatic complex with special reference to radical perineal prostatectomy

Anatomical Fundamentals and Current Surgical Knowledge of Prostate Anatomy Related to Functional and Oncological Outcomes for Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy

Context

Meticulous knowledge about the anatomy of the prostate and surrounding tissue represents a crucial and mandatory requirement during radical prostatectomy for reliable oncological and excellent replicable, functional outcomes. Since its introduction two decades ago, robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) has evolved to become the predominant surgical approach in many industrialized countries.

Objective

To provide and highlight currently available literature regarding prostate anatomy and to help in improving oncological and functional outcomes in RALP.

Methods/Evidence Acquiring

PubMed database was searched using the following keywords: “robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy,” “anatomy,” “neurovascular bundle,” “nerve,” “periprostatic fascia,” “pelvis,” “sphincter,” “urethra,” “urinary incontinence,” and “erectile dysfunction.” Relevant articles and book chapters were critically reviewed and if eligible, they were included in this review.

Results

New evidence in regards to prostatic anatomy and surgical approaches in RALP has been reported in recent years. Besides detailed anatomical studies investigating the meticulous structure of the fascial structures surrounding the prostate and neurovascular bundle preservation, debate about the optimal RALP approach is still ongoing, inspired by recent publications presenting promising functional outcomes following modifications in surgical approaches.

Conclusions

This review provides a detailed overview of the current knowledge of prostate anatomy, its surrounding tissue, and its influence on key surgical step development for RALP.

Role of sparing of puboprostatic ligaments on continence recovery after radical prostatectomy: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Sparing of puboprostatic ligaments (PPLs) during radical prostatectomy was introduced as a technique to improve urinary continence. This study aims to study the effect of sparing of PPLs during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy in terms of continence during the first 3 months.

METHODS

A total of 74 patients, diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer, were randomly assigned to two equal groups; PPLs division and sparing during LRP. Based on the number of daily used pads, both groups completed 3 months follow-up to assess continence recovery. The effects of age, preoperative total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and clinical tumor stage on continence recovery were also studied. The study was registered and approved by the Ethics Committee of Alexandria University-Faculty of Medicine (Protocol No. 0201074).

RESULTS

Seventy-four patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 63.8 years. Baseline characteristics were comparable, except significantly higher mean PSA in the division group. Sixty patients were continent (0-1 pad/day) at 3 months follow-up. Continence was significantly better in the sparing than division group at 1 week after catheter removal (67.6% vs 40.5%, p = 0.01), at 1 month (73% vs 45.9%, p = 0.009) and 2 months (89.2% vs 51.4%, p = 0.0001). At 3 months follow-up, there was no significant difference between both groups (83.3% vs 78.4% for sparing and division groups, respectively; p = 0.28). Moreover, continence was significantly improved at 3 months compared to 1 week in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Sparing of puboprostatic ligaments during radical prostatectomy significantly improves postoperative early recovery of urinary continence.

ANATOMY - SPARING LAPAROSCOPIC RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY… IS IT POSSIBLE?

The fact is that nerve- and fascial-sparing robot-assisted technique improves functional results of radical prostatectomy.The aim of study: to evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of anatomy-sparing radical prostatectomy performed by conventional laparoscopy.Material and methods: A total of 4025 patients with prostate cancer who underwent conventional lap radical prostatectomy (LRP) between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. After that only cases of anatomy-sparing technique were enrolled. The perioperative parameters of these 714 men were analyzed. Continence was defined by “Pad-test” 1 or none.Results: There were no mortality, intra- and Clavien ≥ III postoperative complications i.q. conversions to open surgery. Average OR time & EBL – 155,3 min & 187,2 ml respectively. Mean time of bladder catheterization – 7,4 d. The frequency of positive surgical margins – 9,7%. Immediate and absolute continence has been reached in 38,2% of cases. In the other 42,3% of patients the “Pad-test” was not more than one. Thus 80,5% of our patients were satisfied with urination after surgery. Conclusions: conventional laparoscopic surgical technique described in this paper is not only feasible effective and safe but also achieve a better functional result.

How to Prevent and Manage Post-Prostatectomy Incontinence: A Review

PURPOSE

To provide an overview of the currently available evidence relating to the prevention and management strategies of urinary incontinence (UI) after radical prostatectomy (RP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A comprehensive research was carried out on MEDLINE/PubMed database to identify pertinent studies concerning post-RP UI. The search strategy included these words: urinary continence; urinary continence recovery; urinary incontinence; radical prostatectomy; and prostate cancer.

RESULTS

Post-RP UI still represents a challenging issue for both urologic patients and clinicians. A complete preoperative assessment of the risk factors associated with post-RP UI aids both in counseling those patients with a higher estimated likelihood of postoperative UI and in identifying those who would probably benefit from preventive strategies in the preoperative and in the intraoperative settings. Over the last decades different surgical strategies based on either the "preservation" or the "reconstruction" of the anatomical elements responsible for urinary continence (UC) led to an overall improvement of postoperative functional outcomes. Finally, several therapeutic strategies should be evaluated for the postoperative UI management. Artificial urinary sphincter implantation represents the gold standard for treatment, notwithstanding its wide adoption is limited due to high costs and significant risk of surgical revision. In this context, male sling positioning seems the most promising strategy, in particular in mild and moderate post-RP UI.

CONCLUSIONS

To enhance the likelihood of obtaining an optimal UC recovery after RP, it is here strongly suggested to intervene throughout the overall clinical management process thus including the pre-, intra- and postoperative settings.

Nature and Architecture of the Puboprostatic Ligament: A Macro- and Microscopic Cadaveric Study Using Epoxy Sheet Plastination

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the nature and the architecture of the puboprostatic ligament (PPL) and its relationship with surroundings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six adult male cadaveric pelvises (age range, 46-87 years) were prepared as serial transverse (2 sets), coronal (1 set), or sagittal (3 sets) plastinated sections, and were examined under a stereoscope and a confocal microscope. The thickness of the section was 2.5 mm, the interval between 2 adjacent sections was about 0.9 mm, and a total of about 70 serial sections per set were collected.

RESULTS

First, the musculotendinous sheet of the pubococcygeus contributed to the visceral endopelvic fascia, decussated in front of the detrusor apron, and fixed to the pubis. Second, anteriorly to the prostate, the detrusor apron split up into anterior, middle, and posterior layers, which contributed to the PPL, the fascial sheaths of the dorsal vascular complex, and the anterior fibromuscular stroma of the prostate, respectively. Third, the PPL originated from both the detrusor apron and the decussated and undecussated fibers of the pubococcygeus, and inserted onto the pubis.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the nature and the architecture of the PPL and its relationship with surroundings. These findings provide new insights in the "suspensory system" involving the urinary continence and may incite for future surgical techniques that aim to preserve the decussated pubococcygeus and the intactness of a pubococcygeus-detrusor apron complex during radical retropubic prostatectomy.

Case for resurgence of radical perineal prostatecomy in Indian subcontinent

Introduction:

Radical perineal prostatectomy was the first surgery described for prostatic carcinoma (Young, 1904) but it lost its eminent status after Walsh's description in 1982 of anatomic radical retropubic prostatectomy followed by the enthusiasm in laparoscopy and now robotics. It made resurgence after it was realized in early 1990s that the pelvic lymph node dissection is needed only in selected cases. Last decade witnessed over 80 publications addressing the results and advances in the perineal approach. Strangely, centres from the subcontinent have chosen to ignore this resurgence. We describe our early experience with the technique in 35 patients and present the case for its more widespread usage.

Patients and Methods:

Thirty five patients of clinically localized carcinoma prostate were operated by perineal route in our institution from December 2006 onwards. All patients had serum prostate specific antigen levels less than 10 ng/ml.

Results:

Operating time was 2 to 3.5 hours (mean 2.5 hours). Rectal injury occurred in three patients but was closed primarily in all and none required a colostomy. Mean duration of hospital stay was four days. The disease was organ confined in 25(71%). Positive margins were seen in 5(14%) patients. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 17% patients at one year. Seventy six percent patients had achieved continence at one year.

Conclusions:

As the world is taking note of radical perineal prostatectomy again, with a very small learning curve, minimal invasion and good oncological control urologists from Indian subcontinent should also embrace this procedure in view of the relative limited resources available.

Transabdominal ultrasound measurement of pelvic floor muscle mobility in men with and without chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pelvic floor muscle motion in men with and without chronic prostatitic/chronic pelvic pain syndrome using transabdominal ultrasound. No study has directly evaluated pelvic floor muscle mobility in individuals with and without chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 40 males participated in the study. Subjects were categorized into 2 groups: those with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (n = 20) and those without chronic pelvic pain syndrome (n = 20). The amount of bladder base movement on ultrasound (normalized to body mass index) was measured in all subjects and considered as an indicator of pelvic floor muscle mobility.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis (independent t-test) revealed significant difference in transabdominal ultrasound measurements for pelvic floor muscle function between the 2 groups (P = .03, 95% CI -0.26 to -0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that pelvic floor muscle mobility differs in the 2 groups.

A critical analysis of the current knowledge of surgical anatomy related to optimization of cancer control and preservation of continence and erection in candidates for radical prostatectomy

CONTEXT

Detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the prostate and adjacent tissues is mandatory during radical prostatectomy to ensure reliable oncologic and functional outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To review critically and to summarize the available literature on surgical anatomy of the prostate and adjacent structures involved in cancer control, erectile function, and urinary continence.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A search of the PubMed database was performed using the keywords radical prostatectomy, anatomy, neurovascular bundle, fascia, pelvis, and sphincter. Relevant articles and textbook chapters were reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Anatomy of the prostate and the adjacent tissues varies substantially. The fascia surrounding the prostate is multilayered, sometimes either fused with the prostate capsule or clearly separated from the capsule as a reflection of interindividual variations. The neurovascular bundle (NVB) is situated between the fascial layers covering the prostate. The NVB is composed of numerous nerve fibers superimposed on a scaffold of veins, arteries, and variable amounts of adipose tissue surrounding almost the entire lateral and posterior surfaces of the prostate. The NVB is also in close, cage-like contact to the seminal vesicles. The external urethral sphincter is a complex structure in close anatomic and functional relationship to the pelvic floor, and its fragile innervation is in close association to the prostate apex. Finally, the shape and size of the prostate can significantly modify the anatomy of the NVB, the urethral sphincter, the dorsal vascular complex, and the pubovesical/puboprostatic ligaments.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical anatomy of the prostate and adjacent tissues involved in radical prostatectomy is complex. Precise knowledge of all relevant anatomic structures facilitates surgical orientation and dissection during radical prostatectomy and ideally translates into both superior rates of cancer control and improved functional outcomes postoperatively.

Anatomical Landmarks of Radical Prostatecomy

INTRODUCTION

In the present study, we review current literature and based on our experience, we present the anatomical landmarks of open and laparoscopic/endoscopic radical prostatectomy.

METHODS

A thorough literature search was performed with the Medline database on the anatomy and the nomenclature of the structures surrounding the prostate gland. The correct handling of puboprostatic ligaments, external urethral sphincter, prostatic fascias and neurovascular bundle is necessary for avoiding malfunction of the urogenital system after radical prostatectomy.

RESULTS

When evaluating new prostatectomy techniques, we should always take into account both clinical and final oncological outcomes. The present review adds further knowledge to the existing "postprostatectomy anatomical hazard" debate. It emphasizes upon the role of the puboprostatic ligaments and the course of the external urethral sphincter for urinary continence. When performing an intrafascial nerve sparing prostatectomy most urologists tend to approach as close to the prostatic capsula as possible, even though there is no concurrence regarding the nomenclature of the surrounding fascias and the course of the actual neurovascular bundles. After completion of an intrafascial technique the specimen does not contain any periprostatic tissue and thus the detection of pT3a disease is not feasible. This especially becomes problematic if the tumour reaches the resection margin.

DISCUSSION

Nerve sparing open and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy should aim in maintaining sexual function, recuperating early continence after surgery, without hindering the final oncological outcome to the procedure. Despite the different approaches for radical prostatectomy the key for better results is the understanding of the anatomy of the bladder neck and the urethra.

Nerve Sparing Endoscopic Extraperitoneal Radical Prostatectomy– Effect of Puboprostatic Ligament Preservation on Early Continence and Positive Margins

INTRODUCTION

A technical modification of nerve sparing endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (nsEERPE) with preservation of the puboprostatic ligaments is presented and compared to a previous technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

nsEERPE was performed in 100 men with clinically localized adenocarcinoma of the prostate from March 2004 through February 2005. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A included patients in whom a standard nsEERPE was performed (n=50), and group B included patients in whom a puboprostatic ligament sparing nsEERPE was performed (n=50). The postoperative follow-up was 2 weeks and 3 months evaluating preliminary effects on early continence and positive margins.

RESULTS

The early return to continence at 2 weeks postoperatively was achieved by 6 patients (12%) in group A, and 12 patients (24%) in group B. Three months after the procedure 24 (48%) and 38 (76%) patients were continent, in groups A and B respectively. Clinical outcome (early continence) was significantly better for Group B patients, at 2 weeks (chi-square test, p=0.0019) and at 3 months (chi-square test, p=0.0347) following surgery. No cases of complete or severe incontinence (more than 5 pads/day) were observed at 3 months after surgery, in either groups. Groups A and B did not exhibit significant differences regarding their histological status. In group A, positive margins were detected in 6.5% and 26.3% of patients with pT2 and pT3, respectively. In group B, positive margins were found in 3.2% and 15.8% of patients with pT2 and pT3, respectively

CONCLUSION

We propose the use of puboprostatic ligament-sparing nsEERPE as an intriguing method to ascertain recuperation of early continence after nerve sparing procedures, without hindering the final oncological outcome.