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A histological study of Denonvilliers’ fascia and its relationship to the neurovascular bundle
Author(s) -
Kourambas,
Angus,
John Hosking,
Chou Chou
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
british journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 0007-1331
DOI - 10.1046/j.1464-410x.1998.00749.x
Subject(s) - neurovascular bundle , anatomy , haematoxylin , fascia , dissection (medical) , medicine , prostatectomy , stain , staining , pathology , prostate , cancer
Objective To evaluate the anatomical relationship between the nerves and fasciae at the site of dissection in a radical retropubic prostatectomy. Materials and method Eight adult male (autopsy) en bloc specimens of bladder and rectum were examined histologically after staining with either haematoxylin and eosin or S‐100 protein (as a specific nerve stain). Results All specimens showed Denonvilliers’ fascia to have no clearly defined layers and no definable lateral edge. No distinct neurovascular bundle was seen but nerves were scattered throughout the fasciae, including medially towards the midline. Conclusion In radical retropubic prostatectomy, a piece of Denonvilliers’ fascia is taken with the specimen, thus removing these nerves. The loss of these nerve fibres may explain the significant rate of erectile dysfunction after ‘nerve‐sparing’ surgery.