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Autologous buccal mucosal graft for urethral reconstruction
1Division of Pediatric Urology, Children's Hospital of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
Objectives:
The search for an adequate tissue for reconstruction of the urethra in those patients with a paucity of local skin continues. Over the past 18 months, the use of buccal mucosa as a substitution for urethra was evaluated.
Methods:
Six patients who had complex hypospadias had buccal mucosa grafts for urethral reconstruction. All patients had had previous surgery for repair of chordee or significant complications from previous surgery with a result of lack of penile skin. Patients were operated on and followed for 8 to 17 months.
Results:
Buccal mucosa was used as a rolled tube in 4 patients, an onlay graft in 1, and a folded tube in 1. A urethrocutaneous fistula that was repaired 6 months after the buccal surgery was the only complication.
Conclusions:
By virtue of its tissue characteristics, ease of handling, and ease of harvest, buccal mucosa is an excellent tissue for urethral reconstruction.