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Objective: Knowledge of the retroperitoneal anatomy is particularly important to facilitate surgical procedure and reduce the number of complications. The objective of this video is to demonstrate pelvic neuroanatomic structures and their relationships in the pelvic sidewall and the presacral space in a laparoscopic cadaveric dissection., Design: Case report (anatomic study)., Setting: Medical training center (AdventHealth Nicholson Center, Orlando, FL)., Interventions: The dissection started with the mobilization of the iliac vessels from the pelvic sidewall to identify the obturator nerve. The peritoneum of the ovarian fossa was opened, and the ureter was dissected up to the level of the uterine artery. The hypogastric nerve was identified. The close relationship between the ovarian fossa and the obturator nerve could be demonstrated. The deep dissection of the obturator fossa allowed for the identification of the lumbosacral trunk, S1, the sciatic nerve, S2, S3, S4, and the splanchnic nerves. Then, the ischial spine and the sacrospinous ligament were identified. The pudendal nerve and vessels could be observed passing below the sacrospinous ligament, entering the pudendal canal (Alcock's canal). The presacral space was dissected, and the hypogastric fascia was opened. S1 to S4 were identified coming from the sacral foramens. The laparoscopic dissection, using the cadaveric model, allowed for the development of the entire retroperitoneal anatomy, focusing on the dissection of the pelvic innervation. Anatomic relationships among the ureter, the hypogastric nerve, the uterosacral ligament, the splanchnic nerves, the inferior hypogastric plexus, and the organs (bowel, vagina, uterus, and bladder) could be demonstrated., Conclusion: A laparoscopic cadaveric dissection can be used as a resource to demonstrate and educate surgeons about the neurologic retroperitoneal structures and their relationships., (Copyright © 2020 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

To study progesterone signaling activation, we measured changes in extracellular pH as a reflection of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) using a cytosensor microphysiometer and assessed progesterone receptor (PR) and estrogen metabolism enzymes mRNA expression in cultured endometrial cells from women with deep infiltrating endometriosis and healthy controls using real-time quantitative PCR. This study was conducted at a University hospital and included patients with and without deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Primary endometrial stromal cells (ECs) from women with DIE and controls were treated with 17β-estradiol and progesterone prior to microphysiometer measurements and qPCR evaluations. Decreased progesterone responsiveness and decreased total nuclear PR and HSD17B1 mRNA expression were observed in cultured ECs from women with deep infiltrating endometriosis relative to those from control samples before and after hormone treatment. These cells also showed increased 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases types 2 (HSD17B2) relative to control group and increased expression of aromatase (CYP19) after exposure to progesterone. These physiological and expression patterns observed in ECs cultures from women with DIE reinforces previous findings in the literature supporting the progesterone resistance hypothesis in the pathogenesis of endometriosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no affiliations that would constitute a financial conflict of interest regarding the subject matter presented in this study., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disorder defined as the presence of endometrial tissue within extra-uterine sites. The primary symptoms are infertility and chronic pain. The inflammatory environment and aberrant immune responses in women with endometriosis may be directly associated with the initiation and progression of endometriotic lesions. In the present study, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines was evaluated in cultures of primary endometrial cells (ECs) isolated from the endometrium of women with and without endometriosis. The presence of endometriotic cells leads to alterations in the secretory profile of healthy ECs. The expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‑6 and IL‑8 was significantly increased in endometriotic and co‑cultured cells compared with healthy ECs. IL‑6 expression was strongly correlated with IL‑8 expression in endometriotic cells. IL‑1β expression was increased on day 10 of co‑culture to 48.30 pg/ml and may be associated with the long‑term co‑culture, rather than IL‑6 and IL‑8 expression. IL‑6 expression was strongly correlated with cell number, whereas IL‑8 expression was moderately correlated with cell number. Additionally, it was observed that co‑cultured cells exhibited a different population of cells, with expression of the mesenchymal stem cell marker cell surface glycoprotein MUC18, indicating a putative role of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells in the secretion of cytokines and disease development. These results indicate a predominant role of primary endometriotic cells in the secretion of cytokines, which contributes to the disrupted peritoneal and endometrial environment observed in the women with endometriosis.

Aim of the Video / Introduction: Pelvic congestion syndrome is a well-known cause of cyclic pelvic pain (Ganeshan et al., Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 30(6):1105-11, 2007). What is much less well known is that dilated or malformed branches of the internal or external iliac vessels can entrap the nerves of the sacral plexus against the pelvic sidewalls, producing symptoms that are not commonly seen in gynecological practice, such as sciatica, or refractory urinary and anorectal dysfunction (Possover et al., Fertil Steril 95(2):756-8. 2011). The objective of this video is to explain and describe the symptoms suggestive of vascular entrapment of the sacral plexus, as well as the technique for the laparoscopic decompression of these nerves., Method: Two anecdotal cases of intrapelvic vascular entrapment are used to review the anatomy of the lumbosacral plexus and demonstrate the laparoscopic surgical technique for decompression at two different sites, one on the sciatic nerve and one on the sacral nerve roots., Result: After surgery, the patient with the sciatic entrapment showed full recovery of the sciatica and partial recovery of the myofascial pain. The patient with sacral nerve root entrapment showed full recovery with resolution of symptoms., Conclusion: The symptoms suggestive of intrapelvic nerve entrapment are: perineal pain or pain irradiating to the lower limbs in the absence of a spinal disorder, and lower urinary tract symptoms in the absence of prolapse of a bladder lesion. In the presence of such symptoms, the radiologist should provide specific MRI sequences of the intrapelvic portion of the sacral plexus and a team and equipment to expose and decompress the sacral nerves should be prepared.

Introduction and Hypothesis: Endometriosis involving the sacral plexus is still poorly understood or neglected by many surgeons. Looking at that scenario, we have designed this educational video to explain and describe the symptoms suggestive of endometriotic involvement of the sacral plexus in addition to the technique for the laparoscopic treatment of this condition., Methods: Retrospective analysis of 13 consecutive cases of endometriotic entrapment of nerves of the lumbosacral plexus., Results: Paired t test revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.0000001) reduction in pain VAS score, from preoperative average 9.1 (±1.98) to postoperative 1.46 (±1.66). Twelve out of 13 patients (92.3%) experienced a reduction of 50% or more in VAS score and 6 (46.15%) became completely pain-free., Conclusion: The signs suggestive of intrapelvic nerve involvement include perineal pain or pain irradiating to the lower limbs, lower urinary tract symptoms, tenesmus or dyschezia associated with gluteal pain. Whenever deeply infiltrating lesions are present, the patient must be asked about those symptoms and specific MRI sequences for the sacral plexus must be taken, so that the equipment and team can be arranged and proper treatment performed.

Objective: To demonstrate the laparoscopic neuroanatomy of the autonomic nerves of the pelvis using the laparoscopic neuronavigation technique, as well as the technique for a nerve-sparing radical endometriosis surgery., Design: Step-by-step explanation of the technique using videos and pictures (educational video) to demonstrate the anatomy of the intrapelvic bundles of the autonomic nerve system innervating the bladder, rectum, and pelvic floor., Setting: Tertiary referral center., Patient(s): One 37-year-old woman with an infiltrative endometriotic nodule on the anterior third of the left uterosacral ligament and one 34-year-old woman with rectovaginal endometriosis., Intervention(s): Exposure and preservation by direct visualization of the hypogastric nerve and the inferior hypogastric plexus., Main Outcome Measure(s): Visual control and identification of the autonomic nerve branches of the posterior pelvis., Result(s): Exposure and preservation of the hypogastric nerve and the superficial part of the left hypogastric nerve were achieved on the first patient. Nerve roots S2, S3, and S4 were identified on the second patient, allowing for the exposure and preservation of the pelvic splanchnic nerves and the deep portion inferior hypogastric plexus., Discussion(s): Radical surgery for endometriosis can induce urinary dysfunction in 2.4%-17.5% of patients owing to lesion of the autonomic nerves. The surgeon's knowledge of the anatomy of these nerves is the main factor for preserving postoperative urinary function. The following nerves are the intrapelvic part of the autonomic nervous system: the hypogastric nerves, which derive from the superior hypogastric plexus and carry the sympathetic signals to the internal urethral and anal sphincters as well as to the pelvic visceral proprioception; and the pelvic splanchnic nerves, which arise from S2 to S4 and carry nociceptive and parasympathetic signals to the bladder, rectum, and the sigmoid and left colons. The hypogastric and pelvic splanchnic nerves merge into the pararectal fossae to form the inferior hypogastric plexus. Most of the nerve-sparing techniques involve the dissection and exposure of the pelvic splanchnic nerves and the inferior hypogastric plexus. However, knowledge of the topographic anatomy and awareness of the landmarks for avoiding intraoperative nerve injuries seem to be the most important factors in avoiding postoperative bladder and bowel dysfunction, although this latter nerve-sparing technique seems to be associated with reduced radicality and symptom persistence., Conclusion(s): This video demonstrates a technique to expose the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves of the pelvis to preserve them in radical pelvic surgery, by means of direct visualization, in a similar fashion to the technique used to preserve the ureters. An alternative to this technique is to use landmarks for limiting dissection and avoiding intraoperative nerve injury. Despite being safe and more easily reproducible, this latter technique is associated with a higher rate of symptom persistence., (Copyright © 2015 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of a more versatile rectosigmoid nodulectomy technique using a linear stapler., Methods: Case series., Setting: tertiary care (reference center for endometriosis surgery)., Patients: Sixty-one consecutive patients who were operated on between January 2006 and February 2013., Intervention: anterior rectal wall nodulectomy technique using sequential bites of the linear stapler., Measurements: Perioperative complications were recorded, and a condition-specific bowel dysfunction quality of life questionnaire (Rome III--Constipation) was applied pre-operatively and post-operatively during the first week of April 2013., Design Classification: Canadian Task Force III RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were submitted to the intervention. After a mean follow-up period of 1.83 years (.25-7.1 ± 1.97), no post-operative fistula or leakage was observed. In addition, no cases of rectal stenosis or bowel obstruction were recorded, and two patients were excluded for not answering the post-operative questionnaire. According to the Rome III questionnaire, constipation symptoms improved significantly in 12 out of 17 questions. No patient reported worsening of symptoms in question., Conclusions: Linear stapler resection is a safe alternative to segmentar resection for endometriotic nodules on the anterior rectal wall.