Porcine vesical acellular matrix graft of tunica albuginea for penile reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the feasibility of the surgical replacement of the penile tunica albuginea (TA) and to evaluate the value of a porcine bladder acellular matrix (BAM) graft.


METHODS
Acellular matrices were constructed from pigs' bladders by cell lysis, and then examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Expression levels of the mRNA of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 receptor, neuregulin, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the acellular matrix and submucosa of the pigs'bladders were determined through the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A 5 mm X 5 mm square was excised from the penile TA of nine rabbits. The defective TA was then covered in porcine BAM. Equal numbers of animals were sacrificed and histochemically examined at 2, 4 and 6 months after implantation.


RESULTS
SEM of the BAM showed collagen fibers with many pores. VEGF receptor, FGF-1 receptor and neuregulin mRNA were expressed in the porcine BAM; BDNF mRNA was not detected. Two months after implantation, the graft sites exhibited excellent healing without contracture, and the fusion between the graft and the neighboring normal TA appeared to be well established. There were no significant histological differences between the implanted tunica and the normal control tunica at 6 months after implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
The porcine BAM graft resulted in a structure which was sufficiently like that of the normal TA. This implantation might be considered applicable to the reconstruction of the TA in conditions such as trauma or Peyronie's disease.
Joo
Kwan-Joong
KJ
Department of Urology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 108 Pyung-Dong, Jongro-Ku, Seoul 110-746, Korea.
Kim
Byung-Soo
BS
Han
Jeong-Ho
JH
Kim
Chang-Ju
CJ
Kwon
Chil-Hun
CH
Park
Heung-Jae
HJ
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics; D021983:Cyclophilins / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D020880:Neuregulins / Q000235:genetics; D010413:Penis / Q000601:surgery*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D013552:Swine; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D020880:Neuregulins; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; D021983:Cyclophilins