The "laparoscopic neuro-navigation" - LANN: From a functional cartography of the pelvic autonomous neurosystem to a new field of laparoscopic surgery

It is the objective of this study to etablish the technique of laparoscopic exposure of all pelvic somatic and autonomous nerves. In all our patients who underwent a laparoscopic surgical approach of the retroperitoneum, exposure and assessment of the exposed nerves using laparoscopic neuro-navigation were performed. Laparoscopic surgery allows the surgical approach to all pelvic nerves, particularly to the sciatic nerve, the pudendal nerve and the splanchnic pelvic nerves. We describe a cartography of the functional anatomy of the pelvic plexus and elaborate on the concept of "laparoscopic pelvic functional surgery". © 2004 Taylor & Francis.