Injectable Liquid Buccal Mucosa for Urethral Reconstruction: Evidence from Preclinical and Early Clinical Studies

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Urology
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Open substitution urethroplasty using buccal mucosa grafts is the current standard but is invasive.
• Urethral stricture disease requires effective and less invasive treatment options.
• Endoscopic treatments for urethral strictures can be limited by incomplete epithelial healing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review emerging injectable liquid buccal mucosa technologies for urethral reconstruction.
• To evaluate the potential of these minimally invasive strategies in restoring urethral integrity.
• To assess the preclinical and early clinical evidence for liquid buccal grafting.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical animal studies and early clinical investigations.
• Analysis of different forms of injectable buccal mucosa: micrografts, cell suspensions, and scaffold-based materials.
• Focus on application following endoscopic urethrotomy for stricture treatment.

Main Results:

• Preclinical studies show successful engraftment and improved urethral healing with liquid buccal mucosa.
• Early clinical trials report enhanced urinary flow and acceptable safety profiles.
• Injectable buccal mucosa demonstrates potential as a therapeutic option.

Conclusions:

• Injectable liquid buccal mucosa technologies are promising for minimally invasive urethral stricture management.
• These approaches may complement or expand current endoscopic treatment options.
• Further clinical investigation is warranted to establish the role of liquid buccal grafting in urethroplasty.