These authors contributed equally to this work.
The pelvic lymphatic drainage system comprises the upper and lower paracervical pathways (LPPs). Lymph node dissection of the LPP, including the cardinal ligament, internal iliac, internal common iliac, and presacral lymph nodes, requires higher surgical skills because of the anatomical limitations of the pelvic cavity and the dissection of vessels while preserving the nerves in the pelvic floor. In this
Rectal mobilization was performed before complete pelvic lymph node dissection of the LPP. The pararectal space was opened widely and the connective tissue between the presacral fascia and prehypogastric nerve fascia was dissected bilaterally, allowing the rectum to be pulled.
This procedure created a wide-open space in the pelvic floor, allowing clear visualization of the nerves and lymph nodes of the LPP. Laparoscopic complete lymph node dissection of the LPP was performed in the open space while preserving the hypogastric and pelvic splanchnic nerves and isolating the extensive network of blood vessels in the pelvic cavity.
Rectal mobilization enabled the safe execution of laparoscopic complete pelvic lymph node dissection of the LPP in patients with uterine cancer.
Systematic lymphadenectomy is a potential indicator of surgical quality for the staging and prognosis of gynecological cancers. The pelvic lymphatic drainage system comprises the upper paracervical pathway and lower paracervical pathway (LPP) (
The extent of lymphadenectomy often reflects the surgeons’ preferences based on their personal experiences [
Because the pelvic fascia, nerves around the rectum in the pelvic floor, and lymph nodes of the LPP need to be dissected in this limited space, particular attention should be given to preserving the hypogastric and inferior hypogastric plexus attached to the prehypogastric nerve fascia. It is also important to avoid damaging the vascular structures, such as the internal iliac vessels and deep uterine veins (
Rectal mobilization was performed before complete laparoscopic lymph node dissection. After cutting the round ligament, the retroperitoneal and Latzko’s pararectal spaces were widely opened between the internal iliac vessels and prehypogastric nerve fascia. The rectum was gradually mobilized by pulling it upwards (
By exerting upward traction on the rectosigmoid with a thread through a mesh wrapped around the rectum, the internal common iliac lymph nodes and presacral lymph nodes were revealed while identifying the ureter medially. Complete removal of these lymph nodes was then performed after exposing the sacral promontory with caution to avoid damaging the common iliac and median sacral veins. The large pararectal space created by rectal mobilization allowed adequate vascular isolation in the internal iliac and cardinal ligament areas. The internal iliac and cardinal lymph nodes were safely removed while isolating the extensive network of blood vessels in the pelvic cavity and preserving the hypogastric and pelvic splanchnic nerves and inferior hypogastric plexus (
In conclusion, rectal mobilization created a large open space in the pelvic cavity, allowing the safe execution of laparoscopic complete pelvic lymph node dissection of the LPP and extensive vessel dissection while preserving the nerves of the pelvic floor in patients with uterine cancer.
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations, Tachikawa hospital (IRB No. 2020-10), and written informed consent was obtained from all patients. The study was performed in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.
The patient provided written informed consent for the publication of this manuscript and related
None.
Video can be found with this article online at
Schema of the pelvic lymphatic drainage pathways from the uterus. The pelvic lymphatic drainage system from the uterus comprises the upper (yellow arrows) and lower (green arrows) paracervical pathways. The lower paracervical pathway includes the cardinal ligament, internal iliac, presacral, and internal common iliac nodes. UPP, upper paracervical pathway; LPP, lower paracervical pathway; ICIN, internal common iliac nodes; PSN, presacral nodes; IIN, internal iliac nodes; CLN, cardinal ligament nodes.
Schema of the pelvic fascia and nerves around the rectum.
Rectal mobilization for pelvic lymph node dissection of the lower paracervical pathway. (A) The rectum is slowly mobilized by opening the retroperitoneal and Latzko’s pararectal spaces between internal iliac vessels and prehypogastric nerve fascia. (B) Intraoperative image after dissection of the retroperitoneal and Latzko’s pararectal spaces (*). (C) The rectum is moved ventrally after further dissection of the pararectal space between the presacral fascia and prehypogastric nerve fascia. (D) Intraoperative image after dissection of the pararectal space (*) between the presacral fascia and prehypogastric nerve fascia. CLN, cardinal ligament nodes; IIN, internal iliac nodes; PSN, presacral nodes; ICIN, internal common iliac nodes; Ur, ureter; PNF, prehypogastric nerve fascia; OV, ovarian vein; EIA, external iliac artery; EIV, external iliac vein; HN, hypogastric nerve; UA, uterine artery; PF, presacral fascia; IIA, internal iliac artery.
Intraoperative image of the right lower paracervical pathway. The large pararectal space created by rectal mobilization allows complete dissection of the pelvic lymph nodes while preserving the nerve systems and isolating the extensive network of blood vessels in the pelvic cavity. ON, obturator nerve; UA, uterine artery; DUV, deep uterine vein; Ur, ureter; IHP, inferior hypogastric plexus; MRA, middle rectal artery; EIA, external iliac artery; PNF, prehypogastric nerve fascia; PSN, pelvic splanchnic nerve; IGV, inferior gluteal vein; IGA, inferior gluteal artery; EIV, external iliac vein; IIV, internal iliac vein; HN, hypogastric nerve; SGA, superior gluteal artery; IIA, internal iliac artery; PF, presacral fascia; SGV, superior gluteal vein.