The efficacy of a nerve stimulator (Cavermap) to enhance autonomic nerve identification and confirm nerve preservation during total mesorectal excision

Effect of preservation of Denonvilliers' fascia during laparoscopic resection for mid-low rectal cancer on protection of male urinary and sexual functions

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preservation of Denonvilliers' fascia (DF) during laparoscopic resection for mid-low rectal cancer on protection of male urogenital function. Whether preservation of DF during TME is effective for protection of urogenital function is largely elusive.Seventy-four cases of male mid-low rectal cancer were included. Radical laparoscopic proctectomy was performed, containing 38 cases of preservation of DF (P-group) and 36 cases of resection of DF (R-group) intraoperatively. Intraoperative electrical nerve stimulation (INS) on pelvic autonomic nerve was performed and intravesical pressure was measured manometrically. Urinary function was evaluated by residual urine volume (RUV), International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL). Sexual function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scale and ejaculation function classification.Compared with performing INS on the surfaces of prostate and seminal vesicles in the R-group, INS on DF in the P-group exhibited higher increasing intravesical pressure (7.3 ± 1.5 vs 5.9 ± 2.4 cmH2O, P = 0.008). In addtion, the P-group exhibited lower RUV (34.3 ± 27.2 vs 57.1 ± 50.7 mL, P = 0.020), lower IPSS and QoL scores (7 days: 6.1 ± 2.4 vs 9.5 ± 5.9, P = 0.002 and 2.2 ± 1.1 vs 2.9 ± 1.1, P = 0.005; 1 month: 5.1 ± 2.4 vs 6.6 ± 2.2, P = 0.006 and 1.6 ± 0.7 vs 2.1 ± 0.6, P = 0.003, respectively), higher IIEF score (3 months: 10.7 ± 2.1 vs 8.9 ± 2.0, P = 0.000; 6 months: 14.8 ± 2.2 vs 12.9 ± 2.2, P = 0.001) and lower incidence of ejaculation dysfunction (3 months: 28.9% vs 52.8%, P = 0.037; 6 months: 18.4% vs 44.4%, P = 0.016) postoperatively.Preservation of DF during laparoscopic resection for selective male mid-low rectal cancer is effective for protection of urogenital function.

Selective pelvic autonomic nerve stimulation with simultaneous intraoperative monitoring of internal anal sphincter and bladder innervation

BACKGROUND

Pelvic autonomic nerve preservation avoids postoperative functional disturbances. The aim of this feasibility study was to develop a neuromonitoring system with simultaneous intraoperative verification of internal anal sphincter (IAS) activity and intravesical pressure.

METHODS

14 pigs underwent low anterior rectal resection. During intermittent bipolar electric stimulation of the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP) and the pelvic splanchnic nerves (PSN), electromyographic signals of the IAS and manometry of the urinary bladder were observed simultaneously.

RESULTS

Stimulation of IHP and PSN as well as simultaneous intraoperative monitoring could be realized with an adapted neuromonitoring device. Neurostimulation resulted in either bladder or IAS activation or concerted activation of both. Intravesical pressure increase as well as amplitude increase of the IAS neuromonitoring signal did not differ significantly between stimulation of IHP and PSN [6.0 cm H(2)O (interquartile range [IQR] 3.5-9.0) vs. 6.0 cm H(2)O (IQR 3.0-10.0) and 12.1 μV (IQR 3.0-36.7) vs. 40.1 μV (IQR 9.0-64.3)] (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Pelvic autonomic nerve stimulation with simultaneous intraoperative monitoring of IAS and bladder innervation is feasible. The method may enable neuromonitoring with increasing selectivity for pelvic autonomic nerve preservation.

Prospective study of sexual dysfunction in men with rectal cancer: feasibility and results of nerve sparing surgery

PURPOSE

Rectal cancer surgery is impaired by a high rate of postoperative sexual dysfunction cause of frequent nerve injuries. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate sexual function in a group of male patients after total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer, using an autonomic nerve sparing technique.

METHODS

All patients underwent autonomic nerve preserving TME. Sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function standardized questionnaire. All patients were studied preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Fifty-one patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum were enrolled; after excluding 16 patients not sexually active, nine with T4 stage disease and six with metastatic disease, 20 patients were prospectively evaluated. The preoperative erectile function (EF) domain score of the International Index of Erectile Function was 24.3 (±4.1). The score of the EF domain was 17.6 (±7.5), 19.l9 (±7.2), 20.3 (±7.4), 20.5 (±7.4), and 20.6 (±7.4) at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. In the group of patients in which there were no macroscopic damages to the nerves, only two out of 15 (13.3%) developed erectile dysfunction. All five patients in whom incomplete pelvic nerve preservation was necessary developed erectile dysfunction.

CONCLUSION

Our data show that nerve sparing technique can reduce the incidence of sexual dysfunction. Unfortunately, the technique is not applicable in every patient. Indications and techniques of autonomic nerve preservation are not standardized. Controlled trials with long-term follow-up seem to be necessary.

Laparoscopic pelvic autonomic nerve-preserving surgery for sigmoid colon cancer

Background

To test the feasibility of laparoscopic approach in performing the simultaneous pelvic autonomic nerve preservation during standard anterior resection of sigmoid colon cancer.

Methods

Patients meeting appropriate eligibility criteria were recruited for the present study. The surgical procedures are shown in the video. The genitourinary function was evaluated on the basis of validated questionnaires including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI).

Results

A total of 112 patients (tumor, node, metastasis system stage I, n = 8; stage II, n = 54; stage III, n = 50; male, n = 58; female, n = 54; age [mean ± standard deviation], 55.8 ± 6.4 years) with good baseline genitourinary function were operated on with the intent of total preservation of pelvic autonomic nerves and curative resection of sigmoid colon cancer. The patients were prospectively followed (median time of follow-up, 18 months; range, 6–30 months). In patients with a successful nerve-preserving surgery (96.4%, n = 108), 104 patients completed the evaluation of urinary function. The median duration for indwelling urine Foley catheter was 3.0 days (range, 1.0–7.0 days). The voiding function after removal of the urine Foley catheter was good (IPSS, 0–7) in 98 (94.2%) patients, fair (IPSS, 8–14) in 5 (4.8%), and poor (IPSS, 15–35) in 1 (1.0%). Before and after nerve-preserving surgery, there were no significant changes of IPSS scores (3.20 ± 1.72 vs. 3.68 ± 2.82, P = .075, paired t-test) in the present patient series. Forty-four male patients completed the postoperative evaluation of sexual function, and ejaculation was ranked as good in 40 (90.9%), fair (decrease in ejaculatory amounts) in 3 (6.8%), and poor (retrograde ejaculation, failure of ejaculation) in 1 (2.3%), whereas the potency was good (IIEF, 60–75) in 41 (93.2%), fair (IIEF, 44–59) in 2 (4.5%), and poor (IIEF, 5–43) in 1 (2.3%). Moreover, before and after a successful nerve-preserving operation, there were no significant changes of IIEF scores (72.4 ± 4.6 vs. 70.3 ± 8.4, P = .082, paired t-test). For female patients (n = 42), the postoperative sexual function was ranked as good (FSFI score, 76–95) in 36 (85.7%), fair (FSFI, 58–75) in 4 (9.5%), and poor (FSFI, 4–57) in 2 (4.8%). Furthermore, there were no significant changes of FSFI scores (89.0 ± 9.2 vs. 85.4 ± 16.4, P = .122, paired t-test) before and after successful nerve-preserving surgery.

Conclusions

Under laparoscopy, we can clearly identify and preserve the pelvic autonomic nerves to retain genitourinary function in most patients undergoing oncologic resection of sigmoid colon cancer.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1245/s10434-008-9861-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.