Diagnostics (Dec 2023)

Surgical Anatomy and Dissection of the Hypogastric Plexus in Nerve-Sparing Radical Hysterectomy

  • Stoyan Kostov,
  • Yavor Kornovski,
  • Angel Yordanov,
  • Rafał Watrowski,
  • Stanislav Slavchev,
  • Yonka Ivanova,
  • Tosho Ganev,
  • Hakan Yalçın,
  • Ilker Selçuk

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14010083
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
p. 83

Abstract

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Radical hysterectomy is a central surgical procedure in gynecological oncology. A nerve-sparing approach is essential to minimize complications from iatrogenic injury to the pelvic nerves, resulting in postoperative urinary, anorectal, and sexual dysfunction. The hypogastric plexus (HP), a complex network of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves, plays a critical role in pelvic autonomic innervation. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the surgical anatomy of the HP and provides a step-by-step description of HP dissection, with a particular emphasis on preserving the bladder nerve branches of the inferior HP. A thorough understanding and mastery of the anatomical and surgical nuances of HP dissection are crucial for optimizing outcomes in nerve-sparing gynecologic-oncological procedures.

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