Anatomical study of perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy.
OBJECTIVE
One of the major disadvantages of radical perineal prostatectomy used to be that lymphadenectomy could not be conducted through the same incision. We anatomically evaluate perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy using cadavers.


METHODS
Three male specimens that had been subjected to pathological dissection were examined for perineal pelvic lymphadenectomy and the inside views were shown. Operation time, the number of lymph nodes and the inside views of cadavers were evaluated.


RESULTS
We can carry out obturator lymphadenectomy as well as partial internal iliac and external iliac lymphadenectomy between the obturator nerve and external iliac vein under direct vision or laparoscopy in about 20 min. The median number of lymph nodes removed from the three cadavers was eight. It may be easier after prostatectomy because there is then enough space.


CONCLUSIONS
This method resolves one of the major disadvantages of perineal prostatectomy and makes possible a wide variety of perineal operations.
Saito
Seiichi
S
Art Park Urology Hospital and Clinic, and the Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan. apuss@mb.infosnow.ne.jp
Murakami
Gen
G
D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000379:methods*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D010502:Perineum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D011468:Prostatectomy; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery