Experimental and clinical experience using tissue regeneration for urethral reconstruction

Various urethral conditions often require additional tissue for reconstruct ion. Although several innovative tissues have been proposed for possible us e as Free grafts for urethral repair, all have specific advantages and disa dvantages. The use of these tissues may be associated with additional proce dures for graft retrieval, prolonged hospitalization, and donor-site morbid ity. For these reasons, alternate materials have been sought for urethral r epair. Our laboratory has developed an acellular collagen matrix that has s hown adequate urothelial-cell epithelialization and urethral-tissue regener ation both experimentally and clinically. After a 3-year follow-up period, all patients who have had their urethras reconstructed with the acellular m atrix are doing well, showing no clinical change from their immediate posto perative results. Other acellular materials may soon be tried clinically. L ong-term studies need to be conducted before any of these materials can be accepted for routine use in urethral reconstructive procedures.