The puboprostatic ligament and the male urethral suspensory mechanism: an anatomic study

Abstract

Objectives: To perform a detailed anatomic study of the puboprostatic ligament and male urethral suspensory mechanism with comparisons to homologous female anatomy.

Methods: Anatomic dissections were performed on hemipelves of normal fresh male and female cadavers.

Results: The puboprostatic ligament was not a discrete "band" of fascia that simply fixes the prostate to the public symphysis, but a pyramid-shaped structure that is part of a larger urethral suspensory mechanism that attaches the membraneous urethra to the pubic bone. As in the female, the male urethral suspensory mechanism was composed of three continuous structures: the anterior pubourethral ligament (suspensory ligament of the penis and fascial reflection of the perineal membrane), the intermediate pubourethral ligament (arcuate and transverse ligaments), and the posterior pubourethral ligament (the puboprostatic ligament). The attachments of the urethral suspensory mechanism bilaterally inserted along the lateral border of the urethra to form a sling of support from the pubic arch.

Conclusions: The male and female urethral suspensory mechanism are comparable. Understanding the relationship of the male urethral suspensory mechanism to the urethra, striated urethral sphincter, and dorsal vein may help in performing the apical dissection of the prostate during radical retropubic prostatectomy and in preserving urinary continence following radical pelvic surgery.