We present the case of a 70-year-old male with a presacral tumor known to be recurrent prostate cancer with an operative plan of a low anterior resection versus abdominoperineal resection. Intraoperatively, the presacral tumor was adherent to both the sacrum and rectum. Careful dissection of the tumor off of the sacrum allowed for full mobilization of the colon and rectum, which in turn allowed for a stapled coloanal anastomosis with preservation of the sphincter complex and restoration of function.
Keyword: Colorectal Surgery
Robotic-Assisted Low Anterior Resection of a Rectal Tumor with Concern for Invasion of the Seminal Vesicles
We present a case of a 60-year-old male with low-lying rectal cancer initially staged as a T4b tumor with concern for seminal vesicle invasion. A multidisciplinary decision was made to proceed with a jejunal-sparing operation, resecting only the seminal vesicles to preserve urinary continence. The anatomy of the Denonvilliers’ fascia remains controversial, with important implications for the surgical management of rectal cancers affecting adjacent urogenital structures. The anterior and posterior layers of the Denonvilliers’ fascia were successfully dissected, preserving the seminal vesicles and prostate. Pathology confirmed a mucinous adenocarcinoma with negative margins, and the patient is scheduled for ileostomy reversal. This case highlights how meticulous robotic-assisted dissection of the Denonvilliers’ fascia can avoid the need for urostomy and colostomy, preserving urinary function and demonstrating the potential benefits of improved anatomical understanding in pelvic surgery.