title: Application of human amniotic membrane in canine penile tunica albuginea defect: first step toward an innovating new method for treatment of Peyronie's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of human amniotic membrane (AM) grafting in the canine penile tunica albuginea defect; we developed an animal model as the first step toward an innovating new method for the treatment of Peyronie's disease, penile cancers, and congenital deformities of the penis.
  
  
  METHODS
  From August to September 2011, ten healthy male dogs were selected. A rhomboid incision about 3 x 2 cm over the tunica albuginea and its overlying squamous epithelium was made and then excised. The amniotic membrane was folded twice on itself and grafted on the defect. After 8 weeks, artificial erection was made for 5 dogs and for the other 5 dogs after 12 weeks. After artificial erection, partial penectomy was done and histopathological evaluation was performed on the grafts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Artificial erection performed successfully in all of the dogs. No infection or any other complication was seen. Histopathological examination showed complete re-epithelialization with squamous epithelium and collagen fiber deposition. Also, no dysplasia was seen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amniotic membrane can be used as a suitable substitution for tunica albuginea. It is safe, inexpensive, biodegradable, and available and may be used for the treatment of Peyronie ' s disease, penile cancers, congenital penile deformities, and penile reconstructive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salehipour
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fars, Iran.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Izadpanah
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Safaei
authors.affiliation: Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamranpoor
authors.affiliation: Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Farsiani
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D010411:Penile Induration / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D010412:Penile Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010413:Penis / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome