A new material to prevent urethral damage after implantation of artificial devices: an experimental study.
OBJECTIVE
To validate the application of the bacterial cellulose (BC) membrane as a protecting bar-rier to the urethra.


METHODS
Forty female Wistar rats (four groups of 10): Group 1 (sham), the urethra was dissected as in previous groups and nothing applied around; Group 2, received a 0.7cm strip of the BC applied around the urethra just below the bladder neck; Group 3, received a silicon strip with the same dimensions as in group 2; Group 4, had a combination of 2 and 3 groups being the silicon strip applied over the cellulosic material. Half of the animals in each group were killed at 4 and 8 months. Bladder and urethra were fixed in formalin for histological analysis.


RESULTS
Inflammatory infiltrates were more intense at 4 months at lymphonodes (80% Grade 2), statistically different in the group 2 compared with groups 1 (p=0.0044) and 3 (p=0.0154). At 8 months, all samples were classified as grade 1 indicating a less intense inflammatory reaction in all groups. In group 2, at 8 months, there was a reduction in epithelial thickness (30±1μm) when com-pared to groups 1 (p=0.0001) and 3 (p<0.0001). Angiogenesis was present in groups 2 and 4 and absent in group 3. In BC implant, at 4 and 8 months, it was significant when comparing groups 4 with 1 (p=0.0159).


CONCLUSIONS
BC membrane was well integrated to the urethral wall promoting tissue remodeling and strengthening based on morphometric and histological results and may be a future option to prevent urethral damage.
Núcleo de Cirurgia Experimental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cirurgia do Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Salvador Vilar Correia
SV
Lima
Serviço de Urologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Marcilio Romero
MR
Machado
Núcleo de Cirurgia Experimental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cirurgia do Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Flávia Cristina Morone
FC
Pinto
Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Mariana Montenegro de Melo
MM
Lira
Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Amanda Vasconcelos de
AV
Albuquerque
Serviço de Urologia do Hospital das Clínicas, Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Eugênio Soares
ES
Lustosa
Núcleo de Cirurgia Experimental, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Cirurgia do Departamento de Cirurgia do Centro de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Jaiurte Gomes Martins da
JG
Silva
Departamento de Biologia Aplicada à Saúde, Laboratório de Imunopatologia Keizo Asami (LIKA), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, UFPE, Brasil.
Olávio
O
Campos
D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008566:Membranes; D023421:Models, Animal; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012828:Silicones / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014521:Urethra / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D014522:Urethral Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000601:surgery; D016741:Urinary Sphincter, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012828:Silicones; D002482:Cellulose
Biocompatible Materials; Urethra; Urinary Incontinence