A. Erol et al., PARTIAL BLADDER RECONSTRUCTION WITH PEDICLED RECTUS AND GRACILIS MUSCLE FLAPS - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY IN DOGS, British Journal of Urology, 74(6), 1994, pp. 775-778
Objective To investigate the functional, anatomical and histopathologi
cal results of partial bladder reconstruction with skeletal muscle fla
ps. Materials and methods Partial bladder reconstruction with gracilis
or rectus muscle naps was performed in 10 mongrel dogs. Bladder compl
iance and uninhibited contractions were investigated in five female do
gs. Pre-operative and post-operative cystograms were performed in four
female dogs. The dogs were killed 8-12 weeks after the operation. Bla
dders and muscle naps were grossly examined and removed for histopatho
logical examination. Results There was no extravasation on post-operat
ive cystography. Bladder compliance was normal and uninhibited contrac
tions were not present, Severe contracture and atrophy of the muscle f
laps were observed in all dogs at necropsy. Bladder volumes were not c
hanged significantly (P>0.05). Histopathological examination revealed
severe mesenchymal metaplasia in all of the flaps. Conclusion Partial
reconstruction of the bladder with skeletal muscle flaps did not resul
t in extravasation and bladder function was not altered. However, blad
der volume could not be increased because of contracture and atrophy o
f the flaps.