8. Dissection/Posterior steps
• Posterior steps
1. Dissection of posterior spaces
The rectovaginal, vesicouterine, paravesical and pararectal spaces must be dissected and the ligaments between these spaces are divided.
We have chosen to proceed counterclockwise, beginning with the posterior steps to bring down the uterus, and then continuing with the anterior steps.
The posterior steps include opening the rectouterine pouch and the right pararectal fossa, exposing the right uterosacral ligament which is then divided, opening the left pararectal fossa and dividing the left uterosacral ligament.
• Opening the rectouterine pouch
1. Rectouterine pouch
2. Dissection of rectouterine pouch
Upward traction on the cuff with the Chrobak clamps reveals the rectouterine pouch. It is (widely) opened with scissors at the level of the dorsal surface of the uterus.
• Opening the right pararectal space
1. Kocher clamp at 8 o’clock
2. Kocher clamp at 9 o’clock
3. Opening toward sciatic spine
To open the right pararectal space, 2 Kocher forceps are placed on the edge of the vagina. If compared to the hands on a clock, a forceps is positioned at 9 o’clock and the other at 8 o’clock. The entrance to the pararectal fossa is situated between these 2 forceps, at the level of the deep surface of the vagina. The fossa is opened with scissors, and developed in the direction of the sciatic spine.
• Division of right rectovaginal ligament
1. Opening with bipolar scissors
The rectovaginal ligament is situated between the rectouterine pouch and the pararectal fossa. The ligament is cut with bipolar scissors as high as possible, exposing the dorsal surface of the right paracervix. This is repeated symmetrically on the left.
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