Topography of the pelvic autonomic nerves - an anatomical study to facilitate nerve-preserving total mesorectal excision.

Pursuit of the 'holy plane' spares the autonomic nerves. Restricted visibility may complicate the identification and sparing of the autonomic nerves, and thus requires the meticulous planning and execution of surgery. Contextual, the ureter may act as another landmark for the localisation of the inferior hypogastric plexus, additionally to the already established lateral ligaments of the rectum.