Urethral reconstruction using autologous vein grafts for the management of urethral strictures

Urethral strictures may be caused by infections, trauma, or iatrogenic injuries. However, urethral reconstruction as a means of managing the long-segment urethral strictures can prove problematic. Various graft materials have been developed for use during urethroplasty. Although some graft techniques--including those using the buccal mucosa, bladder mucosa, colonic mucosa, and skin--have yielded good results, risks of surgical failure and donor site complications remain. Moreover, no graft material has yet been accepted as the clinical standard within the field of urology. This article provides a brief, updated review of both urethral strictures and clinically available graft materials for urethral reconstruction. In addition, we review previous studies involving autologous vein grafts for urethroplasty and discuss potential advances in the clinical use of these grafts.