title: Penile autotransplantation in rats: An animal model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Penile allotransplantation might be a viable option for patients who need penile reconstruction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  A successful autotransplantation rat model is the first step toward proceeding for allotransplantation. We herein evaluate autotransplantation following transaction of the rat penis just distal to the urethral bulb.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental animal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five Sprague-Dawely rats weighing 520 g (SD 19) were used. Utilizing a magnification of 6-40, transection and immediate anastomosis of the tunica albuginea, urethra, dorsal vein and nerves were carried out. Vesicostomy was made to divert urine. The glandular skin was sutured to the perineum and the abdominal wall was closed in layers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average surgery time was 8 h. The first two rats had no vesicostomy and died in the first postoperative day from retention. Three rats tolerated well the procedure and survived to the end point. One rat was sacrificed at day 10 and histopathology showed 30-50% necrosis of the implanted penis. Another rat was sacrificed at day 20 and showed normal cavernous tissue. The fifth rat was sacrificed 3 months postoperatively and showed evidence of moderate corporal fibrosis. Urethral fistula and necrosis of corpus spongiosum, dorsal nerve necrosis and dorsal vein occurred in all animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Penile autotransplantation in rats is feasible and provides the basis for evaluation of the corpora cavernosa in an allotransplantation model. Long-term urethral continuity and dorsal neurovascular bundle survival in this model is difficult to establish.
authors: Department of Urology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Raouf M
authors: RM
authors: Seyam
authors: Said A
authors: SA
authors: Kattan
authors: Lina W
authors: LW
authors: Assad
authors: Raafat M
authors: RM
authors: El-Sayed
authors: Falah H
authors: FH
authors: Almohanna
keywords: Animal model; histopathology; penis; rat; transplantation