Substitutive urethroplasty with autologous tubular segments of bucal mucosa in dogs

Abstract

PURPOSE: Evaluate experimental urethral defects reconstruction in dogs through implantation of tubular oral autologous mucosa fragments. METHODS: About 2 cm of penile urethra was resected. The induced defect was repaired through anastomosis of tubular oral autologous mucosa fragment extracted from the lower lip. RESULTS: 14 (70%) of the operated dogs showed normal urinary flow and 6 (30%) revealed stenosis which was revealed by radiological examination carried out at 60 days post-operative. Necropsy findings showed the integrity of the implants to the urethral sulcus, and histological findings confirmed that the implanted fragments were covered by the urethral epithelium and inflammatory infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages was present. CONCLUSION: Implantation of tubular oral autologous mucosa fragments is adequate to reconstruct urethral iatrogenic defects in dogs, although it may result in post-operative stenosis.

Urethra; Transplantation; Mouth mucosa