Application of amniotic membrane as xenograft for urethroplasty in rabbit

Uroepithelium repair has always been the subject of discussion in urology surgeries. Using human amniotic membrane allograft has already proved to be useful in other fields. In this study, we use amniotic membrane to repair uroepithelium injuries in rabbits. Twenty healthy rabbits underwent surgery to induce a 10-mm incision, 10 mm from the meatus on ventral part of the urethra. Then a 5 x 10 mm patch of amniotic membrane was sutured to the incised urethra. All of the rabbits were catheterized for a week and then the patches were removed. The rabbits were studied for a month for any signs of infection and fistula formation. All samples revealed complete re-epithelialization of reconstructed urethra by transitional epithelium. There was one case of infection and following fistula (5%). There were two cases of urethral strictures (10%). The result from this study suggests that amniotic membrane is an inexpensive, easy, and biodegradable graft with very little antigen effect which seems to be the ideal solution for urethroplasty.