One-stage urethral reconstruction using colonic mucosa graft: an experimental and clinical study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possibility of urethral reconstruction with a free colonic mucosa graft and to present our preliminary experience with urethral substitution using a free graft of colonic mucosa for treatment of 7 patients with complex urethral stricture of a long segment.


METHODS
Ten female dogs underwent a procedure in which the urethral mucosa was totally removed and replaced with a free graft of colonic mucosa. A urodynamic study was performed before the operation and sacrifice. The dogs were sacrificed 8 to 16 weeks after the operation for histological examination of urethra. Besides, 7 patients with complex urethral stricture of a long segment were treated by urethroplasty with the use of a colonic mucosal graft. The cases had undergone an average of 3 previous unsuccessful repairs. Urethral reconstruction with a free graft of colonic mucosa ranged from 10 to 17 cm (mean 13.1 cm). Follow-up included urethrography, urethroscopy and uroflowmetry.


RESULTS
Urethral stricture developed in 1 dog. The results of urodynamic studies showed that the difference in the maximum urethral pressure between the pre-operation and pre-sacrifice in the remaining 9 dogs was not of significance (P>0.05). Histological examination revealed that the colonic free mucosa survived inside the urethral lumen of the 10 experimental dogs. Plicae surface and unilaminar cylindric epithelium of the colonic mucosa was observed in dogs sacrificed 8 weeks after the operation. The plicae surface and unilaminar cylindric epithelium of the colonic mucosa was not observed, and metaplastic transitional epithelium covered a large proportion of the urethral mucosa in dogs sacrificed 12 weeks after the operation. Clinically, the patients were followed up for 3-18 months postoperatively (mean 8.5 months). Meatal stenosis was developed in 1 patient 3 months postoperatively and needed reoperation. The patient was voiding very well with urinary peak flow 28.7 ml/s during the follow-up of 9 months after reoperation. The other patients were voiding well with urinary peak flow greater than 15 ml/s. Urethrogram revealed a patent urethra with an adequate lumen with no significant graft sacculation. Neither necrosis of neourethral mucosa nor stenosis at the anastomosis sites has been observed on urethroscopy in 4 patients over 6 months after operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Urethral mucosa can be replaced by colonic mucosa without damaging the continence mechanism in female dogs. Colonic mucosa graft urethral substitution is a feasible procedure for the treatment of complex urethral stricture of a long segment. The technique may be considered when more conventional options have failed or are contraindicated.
Xu
Yue-Min
YM
Chief of Department of Urology, Sixth People's Hospital, Jiao Tong University of Shanghai, Shanghai 200233, China. sshospy@public.sta.net.cn
Qiao
Yong
Y
Sa
Ying-Long
YL
Zhang
Jiong
J
Zhang
Hui-Zhen
HZ
Zhang
Xin-Ru
XR
Wu
Deng-Long
DL
Chen
Rong
R
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D003106:Colon / Q000637:transplantation*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019738:Surgically-Created Structures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000601:surgery*; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures