Autologous everted vein graft for repairing long-section urethral defects.

In 21 male dogs a 4- to 10-cm sections of the urethra was replaced by an autologous vein graft. After an observation period of 21-380 days (mean 118), the results of radiological, endoscopic, macroscopic and histological examination were evaluated for 19 animals; 2 of the animals died perioperatively. Micturition was normal in 18 of 19 animals until they were killed. One animal died on the 30th day due to a high-grade meatal stenosis with a subsequent episode of urine retention and ascending urinary infection. Gross examination of the graft in this animal, however, revealed a good result. The local surrounding tissue was found to be ideal in 11 animals, and 5 showed satisfactory results. Three times we observed a pronounced stenosis, so that in these cases results were judged to be unsatisfactory. Postmortem examinations showed the neo-urethra to be a tube made up of connective tissue completely lined by urothelium. In our opinion the results of these animal experiments could at least be equalled in clinical application.