Replacement of urinary bladder wall in the cat by autologous x-ray treated full thickness skin graft

A partial urinary bladder resection was performed in 25 female cats. The defect was replaced with an X-ray treated autologous full thickness skin graft. This graft was shown to be an appropriate foundation for the rapid regeneration of transitional cell epithelium which was proven to be present after 4 weeks. Smooth muscle fibres were present in all cases after 12 weeks. Postoperatively, bladder capacity was adequate without evidence of incrustation or ossification. No changes were seen in the upper urinary tract. Compared to other types of autologous bladder wall replacement this method is simple and warrants clinical investigation.