Urethral Reconstruction with a New Synthetic Absorbable Device

Abstract

Four centimeters of the canine urethra was replaced by a graft consisting of a polyglactin fiber mesh tube, coated with polyhydroxybutyric acid. Microscopic examination 8–12 months later showed almost complete regeneration of the urethral epithelium and the adjacent connective tissue. The neourethra was patent and there were no anastomotic strictures, nor was there any inflammatory reaction around the urethra. The validity of this concept in humans remains to be proved.

Key words:

• urethral reconstruction
• absorbable polymers
• prosthesis
• histology