Clinical application of eight-zone laparoscopic dissection strategy for rectal cancer: Experience and discussion

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the "eight-zone method" of the pelvic floor fascia. A: Schematic image of the “eight-zone method” of the pelvic floor fascia; B: Magnetic resonance image of the “eight-zone method” of the pelvic floor fascia. UB: Urinary bladder; SV: Seminal vesicle; R: Rectum; S: Sacrum; RN: Perineal nerve; SN: Sciatic nerve.

Figure 2 Posterior pelvic floor rectal, posterolateral and lateral rectal space. A: Posterior pelvic floor rectal space; B: Left posterolateral space; C: Right posterolateral space; D: Left lateral rectal space; E: Right lateral rectal space.

Figure 3 Anterior rectal space. A: The pelvic floor peritoneum; B: Anterior rectal space; C: Anterolateral rectal space; D: Denonvilliers’ fascia.

Figure 4 Separation of the left and right lateral rectal ligaments. A: Left lateral rectal ligament; B: Right lateral rectal ligament.