Free tubularised vesical mucosa graft for congenital stenosis of the urethra in children.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of urethral strictures in children remains a challenge to the pediatric surgeon as these are often related to different rare congenital anomalies with various clinical presentations that endanger renal function and should be repaired in young children. Multiple techniques have been described for their repair. We aimed to determine whether the use of a free tubularised bladder mucosal graft associated to a prior tubeless vesicostomy was feasible and sure, as this technique of reconstruction using tubularised grafts has not been described yet in young children. RESULTS: Two newborn male patients were referred to our department. Both presented a congenital stenosis of the urethra as a part of a complex urethral malformation. Surgery involved prior tubeless vesicostomy, free bladder mucosal graft for urethral reconstruction, and vesicostomy closure for both children. Postoperative evolution was satisfying in both children and cystourethroscopy showed permeable urethra. Satisfying cosmetic and functional results have been obtained in the two cases. CONCLUSIONS: The prior vesicostomy prevents kidney damage in the context of complex genital and urinary malformations. Bladder mucosa's immunohistological properties are the most similar to those of the urethral tissue, and are appropriate for this type of correction, making our technique feasible and sure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5.