Fig. 2. Three-dimensional (3D) illustration and key steps in nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. (A) Schematic 3D-illustration of the nervous system of the pelvis which should be preserved during nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. (B) Separation and preservation of the superior hypogastric plexus on the sacral promontory (arrow, SHP). (C) Isolation and tracing of the hypogastric nerve on the lateral border of the rectum (arrow, HN). (D) Identification and preservation of the inferior hypogastric plexus composed of the hypogastric nerve and pelvic splanchnic nerve below the vascular part of the paracervix (arrow, IHP). (E) Vesical branch of the inferior hypogastric plexus during dissection of the vesicouterine ligament (arrow, vesical branch of IHP). B, bladder; HN, hypogastric nerve; IHP, inferior hypogastric plexus; R, rectum; SHP, superior hypogastric plexus; U, ureter; Ut, uterus.