Long-term (>5 years) donor site outcome after mandibular labial mucosa graft harvesting for urethral reconstruction in children.
OBJECTIVE
To report long-term donor site outcome after mandibular labial mucosa graft (LMG) harvesting in children.


METHODS
Donor site outcome was evaluated after a follow-up of at least 5 years in 30 patients < or =14 years of age at surgery undergoing mandibular LMG harvesting for urethral reconstruction. Outcome domains considered included intra-oral donor site scarring, alteration in salivary flow, peri-oral numbness and tightness of the mouth.


RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 8 years (range 6-11.8 years), at a median age at evaluation of 13.4 years (range 9-22.2 years), 16 (53%) of the patients reported to feel a thickening at the harvesting site, none reported alterations in the salivary flow, and one patient each reported tightness of the mouth and peri-oral numbness. None of the patients reported symptoms to be bothersome enough to seek treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
LMG harvest is safe in children and associated with minimal long-term intra-oral symptoms.
Section of Paediatric Urology, Urology Unit, Department of Oncological and Surgical Sciences, University Hospital of Padova, Padua, Italy. marcocastagnetti@hotm a i l . c om
Marco
M
Castagnetti
Raffaele
R
Longo
Antonella
A
Tocco
Alfredo
A
Berrettini
Waifro
W
Rigamonti
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007021:Hypospadias / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000601:surgery*; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male; D055815:Young Adult