Li K, Zeng J, Pang P, Cheng H, He X, Cao F, Luo Q, Tong S, Zheng Y. Significance of Nerve Plane for Inferior Mesenteric Plexus Preservation in Laparoscopic Rectal Cancer Surgery.
Front Oncol 2022;
12:853662. [PMID:
35530321 PMCID:
PMC9072964 DOI:
10.3389/fonc.2022.853662]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Station 253 node dissection with high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) is difficult to perform without damage to the surrounding autonomic nerve plexuses. This study aimed to investigate the significance of the nerve plane for inferior mesenteric plexus (IMP) preservation in laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.
Methods
A total of 56 consecutive rectal patients underwent laparoscopic en bloc station 253 node dissection with high ligation of the IMA. Station 253 nodes were divided into the extra- and intra-nerve plane station 253 nodes for further H&E staining and immunohistochemical analysis. Based on IMP nerve plane-based evidence and histopathological results, a novel nerve-sparing technique, IMP nerve plane orientation, was proposed and performed on 68 rectal cancer patients. Urinary and sexual functions in all patients were evaluated at 6 months postoperatively.
Results
Lymph node metastasis was not found, but abundant nerve bundles containing gangliocytes were observed in extra-nerve plane station 253 nodes. The nerve plane was identified intraoperatively and then confirmed by both postoperative gross specimen evaluation and histopathological analysis. The novel nerve-sparing technique (IMP nerve plane orientation) was successfully performed with no postoperative complications, and the operated patients had improved postoperative urinary and sexual functions.
Conclusion
The nerve plane is helpful for IMP preservation and station 253 node dissection. This novel nerve-sparing technique of nerve plane orientation is technically feasible and safe, which could result in faster recovery of urinary and sexual functions.
Collapse