Urethral Reconstruction Using Everted Saphenous Vein Graft in a Rabbit Model: One-Year Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of using everted saphenous vein graft for urethral reconstruction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five adult male rabbits were divided into 7 groups randomly: experimental group A, B, C, D, E, stricture control group and normal control group (n = 5). In experimental groups and the stricture control group, a urethral mucosa defect (1.5 × 0.8 cm) was created in each rabbit. In experimental groups, a 2-cm long saphenous vein graft was harvested and incised longitudinally and urethral reconstruction was carried out using the everted saphenous vein patch. Rabbits in experimental group A-E were killed respectively at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively, and the specimens were obtained for histo-pathological examination. Retrograde urethrography was performed to evaluate urethral patency before sacrifice in group D and the stricture control group.

RESULTS: In the histo-pathological study, the vein grafts were visible within first week. The vein graft was completely covered by epithelium 1 month postoperatively. Retrograde urethrograms showed the urethral caliber of experimental rabbits were similar to those of normal. While the stricture control group showed a narrow urethral lumen and urothelium defect.

CONCLUSIONS: For urethral reconstruction, everted saphenous vein graft can be an ideal substitute material because of its longer survival time and rapid epithelization capacity.