Surgical anatomy of the rectum: a series of video tutorials – a video vignette.

The ideal ventral dissection plane follows the interface between the rectovaginal septum and the mesorectal fascia - unless the rectal tumour is located ventrally or the rectovaginal septum is not readily discernible. The surgical dissection planes for complete mobilization of the rectum/mesorectum are graphically highlighted and subsequently displayed from the dorsal, lateral to the ventral aspect, including pitfalls when deviating from the correct dissection plane. First, the mesorectal fascia, which envelopes the mesorectal tissue containing the superior rectal blood vessels and the major lymphatic drainage route of the rectum, is addressed. In men the rectoprostatic septum (Denonvilliers fascia) extends between the seminal vesicles/prostate and the anterior aspect of the mesorectal fascia. [Extracted from the article]