Abstract
We investigated the outcome of reconstructive surgery of the urethra through guides composed of a novel biodegradable and highly biocompatible polymer, Hyaff-11. A tract of about 1.5 cm of the rabbit pendulous urethra was totally resected and replaced by a Hyaff-11 tubular graft. Eleven animals were analysed at each of the time points ranging from 7 days to 4 weeks following surgery. Histological and radiological evaluation showed a satisfactory remodelling of the neo-urethra around the implant. The regenerated connective tissue connected both urethral stumps within the first 7 days. On postoperative week 3, the Hyaff-11 guide had disappeared. At the 4-week time point the retrograde urethrogram showed a good distensibility of the neourethra. The regenerated stroma consisted of fibroblastic cells, and collagenous and elastic fibres. The neo-epithelium was pluristratified and exhibited cells of the cuboidal type.
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Italiano, G., Abatangelo, G., Calabro', A. et al. Reconstructive surgery of the urethra: a pilot study in the rabbit on the use of hyaluronan benzyl ester (Hyaff-11) biodegradable grafts. Urol. Res. 25, 137–142 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01037930
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01037930