Surgical techniques of pelvic autonomic nerves protection in laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for the treatment of rectal neoplasms

Abstract

Laparoscopic radical resection of rectal neoplasms is still under clinical research currently due to the following 2 reasons. Firstly, compared with open surgery, the longterm efficacy of laparoscopic surgery remains unclear; secondly, the pelvic autonomic nerves are difficult to be exposed and easy to be damaged during the surgery under laparoscope. Till present time, our department has completed 800 cases of laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal neoplasms, in which rectal neoplasms accounted for 70%. For most cases, the pelvic autonomic nerves have been exposed and protected properly. This paper summarized the skills to protect the pelvic autonomic nerves in the laparoscopic total mesorectal excision used for the treatment of rectal neoplasms. Key words: Rectal neoplasms; Total mesorectal excision; Pelvic autonomic nerves; Laparoscopy