Anatomical and electrophysiological assessment of the canine periprostatic neurovascular anatomy: perspectives as a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy model.
OBJECTIVE
Although the dog is often used as a radical prostatectomy model, precise descriptions of canine prostate and neurovascular bundle anatomy are lacking. We describe canine prostate and neurovascular bundle anatomical and electrophysiological characteristics.


METHODS
The canine prostate and pelvic neurovascular structures were dissected in 6 canine cadavers and 12 anesthetized dogs. Pelvic plexus branches were stimulated using a CaverMap probe and peak intracavernous pressure responses were recorded as a percent of mean arterial pressure.


RESULTS
The canine pelvic plexus lies 5 to 10 mm lateral to the prostate. It is supplied by the hypogastric nerve cranially and the pelvic nerve laterally. The neurovascular bundles course distal from the pelvic plexus along the posterolateral aspect of the prostate, including a dominant cavernous nerve along its lateral aspect. CaverMap stimulation of the efferent branches of the pelvic plexus confirmed their roles in tumescence. Histology revealed extensive neurovascular tissue along the posterolateral aspect of the prostate beneath the periprostatic fascia. Notable differences to human anatomy were the absence of seminal vesicles, the lateral positions of the pelvic plexus, the dominant cavernous nerve and the circumferential urethral distribution of the cavernous nerves.


CONCLUSIONS
Canine neurovascular anatomy resembles that of humans and it is a suitable model in which to assess prostatectomy related erectile dysfunction. However, there are key differences in neurovascular relationships that must be considered when the canine prostate is used as a radical prostatectomy model.
Gianduzzo
Troy Richard John
TR
Section of Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery, Glickman Urological Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Colombo
Jose R
JR
El-Gabry
Ehab
E
Haber
Georges-Pascal
GP
Gill
Inderbir S
IS
D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004285:Dogs; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011467:Prostate / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000294:innervation*; D011468:Prostatectomy