Rabbit urethral regeneration using small intestinal submucosa onlay grafts

Objectives. To determine if small intestinal submucosa (SIS) can evoke urethral regeneration. Methods. Twenty male white New Zealand rabbits were assigned to one of three experimental groups. Group 1 (n = 4) underwent simple urethrotomy and closure. Group 2 (n = 8), a second control group, underwent an onlay urethroplasty with a graft of full-thickness preputial skin from the host rabbit. Group 3 (n = 8) underwent an onlay urethroplasty with an SIS graft. Results. All eight SIS onlay grafts promoted regeneration of the normal rabbit epithelium supported by a well-vascularized collagen and smooth muscle backing. Preputial free onlay grafts maintained a keratinizing squamous cell epithelium with a poor supportive backing, which resulted in the formation of urethral diverticulum. Conclusions. SIS onlay patch grafts for urethroplasty promote rabbit urethral regeneration. (C) 1998, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.