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Use of biodegradable mesh as a transport for a cultured uroepithelial graft: an improved method using collagen gel
S Hakim1, P A Merguerian, D R Chavez
1Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Objectives:
To create an improved delivery vehicle for cultured uroepithelial cells using biodegradable mesh and collagen gel.
Methods:
Twenty uroepithelial grafts were prepared by seeding cultured urothelial cells onto previously prepared collagen gel-polyglactin mesh. As a control, cells were seeded onto 20 plain polyglactin mesh (without gel) squares in the same fashion.
Results:
The presence of urothelial cells was confirmed in all cultures by immunohistochemistry testing with anticytokeratin antibody. After 5 to 7 days, a confluent monolayer of cells covered 90% to 100% of the surface of all 20 collagen gel-mesh grafts. A confluent monolayer of cells did not form on any control graft (plain mesh). After 3 weeks, the cells had formed a sporadic, multiple cell layer confluence over 10% to 50% of the control graft surface; however, the mesh became friable and fell apart.
Conclusions:
By combining collagen gel with a biodegradable mesh scaffold, we created a surgically implantable cultured uroepithelial graft. The production of the collagen gel-mesh vehicle is simple and inexpensive. With this technique, the use of cultured urothelium for reconstructive urologic surgery can be investigated in greater detail.