Objective To resolve the tough problem of how to observe the growing cells in an opaque vector. Methods The urethral epithelial cells from a young male New Zealand rabbit were inoculated, and were primarily cultured in vitro and subcultured for 3 passages. Then, the urethralepithelial cells were cultured in the collagen chitosan complex for 3, 7, 14 and 21 days. The cells were dyed with 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetateacetoxymethyl ester and propidium iodine, respectively. Then, Interactive Laser Cytometer was used to detect the growing cells. Results The urethral epithelial cells grew and proliferated very well in the collagen chitosan complex vector. After the urethral epithelial cells grew in the collagen-chitosan complex vector for 3 and 7 days, the fluorescent density amount of the surviving cells were(1.09±0.13)×10.8 and (2.04±0.13)×10.8, respectively. However, after 14and 21 days, the fluorescent density amount of the surviving cells was (0.55± 0.09)×10.8 and (0.47±0.03)×108, respectively. There was a significant difference when compared with the amount of the surviving cells at 3 and 7 days（P＜0.05）.Conclusion Using Interactive Laser Cytometer for measurement of the green and red fluorescent densities of different waves, the activity of the cultured urethral epithelial cells in vitro can be rapidlymeasured with the in situ quantitation method. This method solves a difficult problem of observing the growing cells in an opaque vector. The dynamic growing state of the engineering tissues can be observed.
Objective To summarize the cl inical effect of a new operative technique of combining penis flap with buccal mucosa graft in the treatment of phall ical urethral stricture. Methods From March 2006 to December 2007, 6 patients with phall ical urethral stricture, aged 3-26 years old, were treated by the method of combining degloved penis flap with buccalmucosa graft. All of them had the symptom of dysuria within 2-10 months after urethroplasty. The urethral stent of highelasticity sil ica was kept for 2-3 weeks after operation. Results Five patients’ incisions obtained heal ing by first intention with satisfying urination and there were no compl ications. Sl ight infection appeared in 1 case at 3 days after operation, with small quantities of suppurative exudate in the incision, which healed through open drainage and washing with antibacterial 2 weeks later. The thinning of the urinary stream was presented at 1 month after operation, and then disappeared after 2-month urethral dilatation. All the 6 patients were followed up for 6-10 months and they felt satisfied with emiction. They had a l ittle bit thicker urinary streams than those of their own age. There was not any residual urine in bladder after emiction. Conclusion The method of combining penis flap with buccal mucosa graft is effective in the treatment of phall ical urethral stricture. It deserves to be popularized due to its simple operation and credible effects.
Objective To search for a new method to repair distal urethral stricture resulting from urethroplasty of hypospadias. Methods FromFebruary 2000 toMarch 2004, 16 patients with distal urethral stricture were treated by use of cutting stricture urethra and their distal urethra were reconstructed with phallic flap. Results All operations were successful without complication of flap necrosis. After 7 days of operation, the patients had free micturition and thick stream of urine. Eleven patients were followed 2 months to 4 years, the satisfactory result was obtained. Conclusion It is a simple and good method to reconstruct the distal urethra by superimposing the phallic flap on the cut stricture urethra after urethroplasty of hypospadias.
Objective To summarize the methods of repairingthe urethral defect in the penis of an adult and the clinical application of the island skin flaps of the scrotum septum to the reparative treatment. Methods From January 2000 to November 2005, twenty-six cases of urethral defect in penis, including 16 cases of congenital urethral defect, 6 cases of traumatic urethral defect in middle penis, and 4 cases of distal urethral defect, were repairedby the local penis fascia flaps.The island skin flaps of the scrotum septum were transferred to cover the penis wound. The pedicle contained the artery of the posterior scrotum and the artery of the anterior scrotum. The flap taken from the scrotum septum was 2.5 cm×5.5 cm in area. Results After a follow-up of 7months to 4 years, all the 26 patients had the healing of the first intention without urethral fistula, urethral narrowness or penis curvature, except 4 patients who developedinfection and leakage of urine, but the wounds healed spontaneously 2-4 weeks after operation. Conclusion The penis fascia flaps and the island skin flaps of the scrotum septum can be used to repair the urethral defect in the penis of an adult. The blood supply to the flaps is sufficient and all theflaps can survive well. A good shape and function of the penis can be obtained.
Objective To investigate a method of repairing hypospadias by combining buccal mucosal graft with scrotal flap and its therapeutic effect. Methods From March 2002 to December 2007, 42 patients with hypospadias underwent primary urethral reconstruction using buccal mucosal graft and scrotal flap. The patients ranged in age from 18 months to 18 years. There were 21 cases of penoscrotal type, 12 cases of scrotal type and 9 cases of perineal type. Among them,8 cases were at initial operation, and 34 cases suffered from the failure of hypospadias repair 6-19 months (average 10 months) after initial operation. During operation, the defect of urethra was 3-7 cm (average 4.2 cm) when the penis was straightened; the buccal mucosa (3.0 cm × 1.2 cm-7.0 cm × 1.5 cm) was transplanted to the tunica albuginea in the ventral aspect of the penis, and was paired with the scrotal flap (3.0 cm × 1.5 cm-7.0 cm × 1.5 cm) to repair urethra. Results The incision of 38 cases healed by first intention, and no compl ication occurred. At 7 days after operation, 4 cases had urinary fistula at either coronary sulcus or anastomotic stoma, one of which spontaneously closed 2 months after operation and the rest 3 recovered by repairing urinary fistula 6 months after operation. All patients were followed for 3-48 months (average 18 months). Urination was smooth, the reconstructed urethral opening was at the tip of glans peins without retraction and with apperance similar to the normal urethral opening. The appearance of penis and scrotum was satisfying, and the penis was straightened completely. Conclusion Combined buccal mucosal graft and scrotal flap, with considerable tissue for uretha tract reconstruction and low incidence rate of urethral stricture, is one of the effective methods to repair hypospadias.
ObjectiveTo explore the nursing experience of preoperative treatment for urethral injury with ureteroscopic urethral realignment. MethodsThe key points of the nursing experience of preoperative treatment for 58 cases of urethral injury with ureteroscopic urethral realignment were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were treated between January 2008 and December 2012. ResultsUrethra catheterization of the 58 patients receiving the ureteroscopic urethral realignment was all successful. The catheter was extracted 4-8 weeks after the treatment, and then the urethra was dilated for two years. All patients had normal urination without any surgery complications during the 5-28-month clinical follow-up. ConclusionUrinary tract infections can be prevented effectively under professional and meticulous preoperative treatment. The incidence of urethral stricture can be reduced greatly. The quality of the patients' life can be improved a lot.
Objective To sum up the research advances in urethra reconstruction with tissue engineering techniques. Methods The recent original articles about urethra reconstruction with engineering techniques were extensively reviewed. Results At present, human urothelium and smooth muscle cells have been successfully harvested，cultivated, and expanded in vitro in sufficient quantitiesfor reconstruction. Tissue engineering for urethral reconstruction includes matrices alone, the body’s natural ability which induces new tissue growth, or the use of matrices with cells. Conclusion The tissue engineering materials for urethral reconstruction has been used successfully to repair defect of hypospadias and urethral strictures. The reconstructionof complex urethral defects need to be improved and developed.
Objective To compare and assess the efficacy of ventral/dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty in the treatment of urethral stricture. Methods We searched pertinent English literature via MEDLINE (1966 to 2007), EMBASE (1977 to 2007) and The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2007) for the use of ventral/dorsal graft urethroplasty in the reconstruction of urethral defect associated with urethral stricture. Data were extracted by two reviewers independently and analyzed by SPSS 13.0 software. Results A total of 50 studies involving 1 264 patients were included. Ventral onlay graft urethroplasty was used in 751 patients with a success rate of 82.6%, while dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty was used in 513 patients with a success rate of 86.9% (ventral vs. dorsal, χ2=4.432, P=0.035). Oral mucosa graft had the highest success rate (88.1%) of all grafts, and the success rate of free skin graft onlay urethroplasty was associated with the location of graft placement (ventral vs. dorsal, P=0.016). Concerning the location of stricture, urethroplasty for bulbar urethral stricture achieved the best results, with a success rate of 87.7%, which was also associated with the location of graft placement (ventral vs. dorsal, P=0.025). Conclusion Dorsal onlay graft urethroplasty is better than ventral onlay. It is better to place the free skin graft in the dorsal part of urethra. Bulbar urethral stricture is more suitable for graft onlay urethroplasty than penile urethral stricture.
Objective To introduce the application of the scrotal flap on reconstructing partial urethra defect. Methods From March 1998 to August 2004, 31 patients with urethra defect were treated with scrotal flap. Their ages ranged from6 to 34 years. Thirty-one patients included 8 cases of congenital deformity of urethra and 23 cases of complication of urethral fistula, urethral stenosis and phallus bend after hypospadias repair. The flap widths were 1. 2. cm in child and 2.3. cm in adult. The flap lengthwas 1. -2.0 times as much as the width. Nine cases were classified as penile type, 10 cases as penoscrotal type, 7 cases as scrotal type(3 children in association withcleft scrotum) and -cases as perrineal type because of pseudohermaphroditism.Urethroplasty was given by scrotal fascia vascular net flap to reconstruct urethra defect. Results All the flaps survived, and the incision healed well. Twenty four cases achieved healing by first intention and 7 cases by second intention. And fistula occurred and healed after 2 weeks in 1 case. 27 cases were followed up 14 years, 2 cases had slight chordee, the others were satisfactivly. Conclusion Urethroplasty with scrotal fascia vascular net flap is an ideal method for the partial defect urethra.
Objective To explore the possibility of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) for reconstruction of urethral defect. 〖WTHZ〗Methods Twenty-four male rabbits weredivided into 4 groups: group A (the tubulate SIS graft for urethral repair), group B (control group, urethral tubulate defect), group C (the SIS patch graft forurethral repairs), group D (control group, urethral part defect). Then the regenerative segment was studied with histological technique by hematoxylineosin straining and immunohistological straining for α-actin after 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. The retrograde urethrography and urodynamics were used to evaluate the function of the regenerative urethra at 12 weeks after operation. Results In groups A and C, at 6 weeks after operation, the luminal surface of matrix was completely covered by urothelium, minimal SIS graft was observed in the extracellular matrix, new smooth-muscle cells was confirmed; however, more inflammatory cells were observed in the host-matrix anastomosis in group A than in group C. At 12 weeks postoperatively, the regenerative tissue was equivalent to the normal urethral tissue and SIS disappeared in group C, but some minimal SIS grafts were observed in group A. In groups B and D, urethral strictures and fibrous connective tissue were observed except ３ cases. The urethrography showed wide smooth urethral in group A and C, meawhile urodynamic evaluation didn’t demonstrat significant difference(P＞0.05) in the bladder volume and the maximum urethral pressure between preoperation and postoperation in group A or group C. Conclusion SIS can be a useful material for urethral repair in rabbits, the SIS patch graft is superior to the tubulate SIS graft in urethra reconstruction.