Urethral Reconstruction Using Everted Saphenous Vein Graft in a Rabbit Model: One-Year Outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of using everted saphenous vein graft for urethral reconstruction.


METHODS
Thirty-five adult male rabbits were divided into 7 groups randomly: experimental group A, B, C, D, E, stricture control group and normal control group (n = 5). In experimental groups and the stricture control group, a urethral mucosa defect (1.5 × 0.8 cm) was created in each rabbit. In experimental groups, a 2-cm long saphenous vein graft was harvested and incised longitudinally and urethral reconstruction was carried out using the everted saphenous vein patch. Rabbits in experimental group A-E were killed respectively at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively, and the specimens were obtained for histo-pathological examination. Retrograde urethrography was performed to evaluate urethral patency before sacrifice in group D and the stricture control group.


RESULTS
In the histo-pathological study, the vein grafts were visible within first week. The vein graft was completely covered by epithelium 1 month postoperatively. Retrograde urethrograms showed the urethral caliber of experimental rabbits were similar to those of normal. While the stricture control group showed a narrow urethral lumen and urothelium defect.


CONCLUSIONS
For urethral reconstruction, everted saphenous vein graft can be an ideal substitute material because of its longer survival time and rapid epithelization capacity.
Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Yujie
Y
Xu
Zhou
Z
Shen
Gang
G
Liu
Bing
B
Liu
Xiaoliang
X
Hua
Yechen
Y
Xiang
Chuanjiang
C
Dong
Bing
B
Li
D000818:Animals; D006085:Graft Survival; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014521:Urethra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*
Saphenous vein graft; Urethral defect; Urethral reconstruction; Urethral stricture; Urethroplasty