title: Muscle flap reconstruction aids in urethral regeneration.
abstract: Traditional methods of reconstructing full-thickness urethral defects have employed a cutaneous component utilized to replace the lining of the urethra. These methods have failed to take advantage of the regenerative ability of urethral epithelium. This epithelium is capable of regenerating, eliminating the need for urethral lining reconstruction. Muscle flap reconstruction provides an environment that allows for complete regeneration of the urethral epithelium. A 56-year-old male presented with a 12-cm defect of the bulbous and penile urethra involving 180 degrees of the urethral circumference secondary to Fournier's gangrene. A proximally pedicled gracilis muscle was used to reconstruct the urethral defect. This healed without stricture or leak. Urethral biopsies showed satisfactory migration of the uroepithelium across the urethral defect.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Metro-Health Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beckenstein
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dinchman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wyatt-Ashmead
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Meland
mesh_terms: D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D012038:Regeneration; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D014521:Urethra / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery*