title: The fascial suspension of the prostate: A cadaveric study.
abstract: Analysis and description of the supporting fascial structure around the prostate and urethra, which needs to be preserved or restored during radical prostatectomy (RP).
  
  
  
  Anatomical dissection of 10 male cadavers was performed and the supporting fascial structures of bladder neck, prostate, and proximal urethra were investigated. The cadavers were embalmed according to Thiel's method, which preserves a natural texture and color of tissues.
  
  
  
  Anteriorly, the puboprostatic ligament (PL), the dorsal vein complex, and the urethropelvic ligament form an integral structure that suspends and stabilizes the prostatic apex. Laterally, the fascia originates from the fascial tendinous arch of the pelvis and stabilizes the prostate in the central position. In the posterolateral aspect, we could demonstrate a tendineous dorsal raphe, which represents an important stabilization structure of the urethra.
  
  
  
  The anterior and posterior pelvic fascial structure seems to be important stabilizer for the prostate and proximal urethra. Their preservation or reconstruction during RP is mandatory to restore the anatomic and functional continuity of the bladder neck and urethra. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:1131-1135, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.|Institute of Anatomy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Orietta
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dalpiaz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anderhuber
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005205:Fascia / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D014521:Urethra / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: anatomy; cadavers; fascia; male; prostate; prostatectomy; urethra; urinary incontinence