Standardization of Laparoscopic Pelvic Examination: A Proposal of a Novel System

Table 1

Descriptive summary of the anatomical boundaries and the contents of each pelvic zone.

Zone	Boundaries	Contents
Zone I	Midline anterior abdominal cavity limited by the round ligaments bilaterally	(1) Uterine dome and anterior surface; (2) Anterior surface of the broad ligaments; (3) Bladder dome; (4) Internal ring and inferior epigastric vessels
Zone II	Midline posterior zone of the abdominal cavity limited by the uterosacral ligaments bilaterally	(1) Uterine dome and posterior surface; (2) Pouch of Douglas; (3) Rectovaginal septum; (4) Sigmoid colon; (5) Presacral peritoneum
Zone III	Lateral pelvic sidewalls limited by the uterosacral ligament and the adnexae and infundibulopelvic ligaments	(1) Fallopian tube and ovary; (2) Posterior surface of the broad ligament; (3) Ovarian fossa; (4) Vessels and ureter
Zone IV	Pelvic sidewall limited by the round ligament, adnexae and infundibular ligament, and external iliac vessels	(1) External iliac vessels; (2) Ilioinguinal nerve