title: Triangle of Marcille: the anatomical gateway to lateral pelvic exenteration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To perform more radical surgery for complex pelvic malignancies and recurrent colorectal cancer, the surgeon must increasingly operate outside the conventional anatomical planes. Published in 1963 the 'Triangle of Marcille' (lumbosacral triangle) remained primarily of intellectual interest being found lateral to the traditional operating field. However, with the advancement of complex colorectal and gynaecological surgery it now provides a schema to assist surgeons in becoming acquainted with a complex and poorly understood anatomical region. Additionally, it prepares the surgeon for the extent of lateral dissection required to achieve the 'holy grail' for oncological surgery in pelvic malignancy, the complete resection (R0).
  
  
  METHODS
  To prosect a preserved cadaver in order to demonstrate, in vivo, the contents and borders of the Triangle of Marcille for the purposes of teaching surgeons and future surgeons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Triangle of Marcille is both described and demonstrated in vivo, illustrated with diagrams and photographs. The importance of this region to the surgical management of complex colorectal and gynaecological surgery is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Triangle of Marcille is a vital anatomical region for advanced pelvic surgery, particularly in the current era of pelvic exenteration, and especially for those that include the lateral pelvic compartment.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) and Institute of Academic Surgery at RPA, Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) and Institute of Academic Surgery at RPA, Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Katherine E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.affiliation: Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) and Institute of Academic Surgery at RPA, Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Discipline of Surgery, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Surgery, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramsey-Stewart
authors.affiliation: Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) and Institute of Academic Surgery at RPA, Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Kirk K S
authors.initials: KKS
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.affiliation: Surgical Outcomes Research Centre (SOuRCe) and Institute of Academic Surgery at RPA, Sydney Local Health District and The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.|Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Cherry
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koh
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D010385:Pelvic Exenteration / Q000379:methods*
keywords: colorectal surgery; lateral pelvic exenteration; triangle of marcille