[Treatment of urethral fistulas in children with application of allogenic fibroblasts].

The study was aimed at upgrading the results of conservative treatment of children with urethral fistulas using methods of tissue engineering. A total of 126 operations for closure of urethral fistulas (UF) were made from 1986 to 2007. The patients were divided into four groups. A conservative therapy was given to 25 children of group 1 aged 5-15 years. Group 2 of 60 patients were operated according to Smith. 39 children entered group 3. They were treated conservatively with application of allogenic fibroblasts. In 1 child UF was closed by a combined method when application of fibroblasts was made upon the sutures. Use of cell technologies for closure of urethral fistulas demonstrates high efficacy of the method for conservative management of long urethral fistulas of a small diameter. Application of allogenic fibroblasts has definite indications and contraindications. In some cases it cannot be used for correction of postoperative complications. Adequate preoperative examination of the patients should be made to formulate optimal therapeutic policy.