Fig. 2

Transverse sections at mid-prostate in Group Control (a–d) and Group DFS (f–h), both stained by HE. a Overall vision of pathological section from Group Control. b In 6-o’clock direction of prostate, two layers of DF were dissected with prostate. c In 4-o’clock direction, anterior layer of DF extended anterolaterally alongside with prostate capsule, sometime fused together (show in black dot line circle). Middle layer of DF and NVB were removed with prostate. d Anterior layer of DF extended anterolaterally and connected with levator ani fascia (LAF) at 3-o’clock direction. e Schematic drawing simulated peri-prostate fascia structure including DF and LAF. f Overall vision of pathological section from Group DFS. g In 6-o’clock direction of prostate, few DR fragments without DF layers. h In 8-o’clock direction, DF was spared successfully with no DF structure visible in the specimen. DR: dorsal raphe; DVC: dorsal vascular complex; IFT: inter fascial tissue; LAF: levator ani fascia; N: nerve; P: prostate; PB: pubic bone; R: rectum; V: vessel. Black arrow: DF; Black arrow head: PC; Black rectangle: anterior layer of DF adhered with LAF; Red dot line: cut line of LAF