Oral complications after lingual mucosal graft harvesting for urethroplasty in 110 cases

OBJECTIVE • This study was to evaluate donor-site complications of lingual mucosal graft harvesting for substitution urethroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS • 110 patients with anterior urethral strictures or hypospadias underwent lingual mucosal grafts (LMGs) urethroplasty. Dual LMGs were harvested from both sites separately or a long mucosal graft was harvested from one side to other side of tongue in 29 patients (group one); a shorter mucosal graft was harvested from one side of tongue in 81 patients (group two). A standard proforma (Appendix) was used for all patients. RESULTS • The mean follow up time was 22 months (range 6~41). At six months follow-up, numbness of tongue was reported in 19 patients (17.27%), parageusias in six (5.45%) and slurring of speech in 9 (8.18%). • Ninety-six patients were followed up for more than 12 mo. Numbness in operative area of tongue was documented in seven patients (7.29%), parageusias in three (3.13%) and slurred speech in three (3.13%). • None of these complications occurred in the six pediatric cases (<14 year) with a history of failed hypospadias repair. CONCLUSIONS • LMGs urethroplasty, as most patients, were satisfied, but there were certain complications that have not been previously described in the literature. • Most oral complications subsided gradually within the first year.