title: [Innervation of Denonvilliers' recto-vesical fascia. Anatomical study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dissection of Denonvilliers' rectovesical fascia allows easy cleavage of the prostatorectal and prostatovesical spaces. Its lateral limit in the "neurovascular pedicles" justifies its resection during radical prostatectomy. The objective of this study was to define the course and to observe the structure of nerves crossing the rectovesical fascia, as the sheaths of these nerves may be invaded by prostatic adenocarcinoma tumour cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  After dissection of a fresh cadavre to define the relations of this fascia with the pedicles, rectovesical fascia biopsies were taken during radical prostatectomies. Transverse sections were performed and examined histologically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Certain nerves, derived from the neurovascular pedicle of the inferior hypogastric plexus, cross the rectovesical fascia to innervate the prostate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This confirms the importance of complete resection of the rectovesical fascia during radical prostatectomy for cancer, not only for surgical reasons, but also to ensure oncologically satisfactory surgery, i.e. with healthy resection margins.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dumonceau
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Delmas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Toublanc
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boccon-Gibod
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005205:Fascia / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000294:innervation*; D012007:Rectum / Q000294:innervation*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000294:innervation*