Reconstructive urethroplasty using porcine acellular matrix

Long tract urethral reconstruction nowadays still has no other resolution than two-stage techniques or graft and flap procedures that are neither simple nor trouble-free both for the patient and the surgeon. Tissue engineering simplifies this surgery using porcine acellular matrix, obtained from small intestine submucosa. It is thin but strong, just ready for grafting, without rejection, because it is not immunogenic, being deprivated of cells. It serves as biological bridging of the reconstruction, promoting the generation of surrounding tissue in which it is completely transformed. We report the first use of porcine intestine submucosa in urethroplastic surgery. The up to date follow up is sixteen months with satisfactory urodynamic and subjective outcome. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.