Study of autonomic nerve preservation in 3D laparoscopic radical resection for rectal cancer

Abstract

With the rapid development of laparoscopic technology, laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) has become the standard operation for rectal cancer. However, the incidence of bladder function and sexual dysfunction is still high in patients with low and middle rectal cancer after operation. How to avoid pelvic autonomic nerve injury is particularly important. Compared with traditional 2D laparoscopic surgery, 3D laparoscopy restores the real three-dimensional visual field and presents a sense of depth, and so it can reveal the perirectal layers more clearly and then reduce pelvic autonomic nerve injury. In the past two years, our center has performed more than 1 000 cases of 3D laparoscopic TME surgery. This article will discuss the experience and skills of autonomic nerve preservation in 3D laparoscopic surgery, including pelvic autonomic nerve anatomy, selection of operation methods and key points during operation. Key words: Rectal neoplasms; 3D laparoscopy; Pelvic autonomic nerve preservation