DONOR SITE COMPLICATIONS OF ORAL MUCOSA GRAFT URETHROLPASTY

Abstract

Background: The use of oral mucosa grafts in urethroplasty involves transplantation of non-keratinized oral mucosa for the repair of urethral strictures. In the last two decades this has emerged as the most widely used substitute tissue in urethral reconstruction. Harvesting of oral mucosal grafts for urethroplasty, however, has certain complications. Objective: This study evaluated the donor site complications associated with oral mucosa graft harvest for anterior urethral reconstruction for stricture. Materials and Patients: This prospective study of 28 consecutive patients presented at the Urology Unit of a University Teaching Hospital with long-segment urethral stricture and underwent oral mucosa graft harvest and substitution urethroplasty. The donor sites were evaluated at 48 hours, at discharge, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively for complications. Results: The patients' mean age in this study was 45.4 (+ 13.2) years with a range of 14-69 years. The mean length of graft was 5.25cm (+ 2.00), range of 1.5cm -11.0 cm. The location of strictures was bulbar urethra in 14 (50%), in 12 (43%), it was present in the penobulbar and 2 (7%) penile urethra. Graft donor sites were buccal in 25 (89.3%) in 2 (7.0%), buccal and labial and in 1 patient (3.5%) was lingual. Donor site complications included pain (32%), bleeding (14%) and peri-oral numbness (3.5%). All were able to eat and drink within 48hrs post-operatively and donor site complications resolved at discharge, and there were no events at follow-up. Conclusion: Harvesting of oral mucosa graft for substitution urethroplasty is safe, but maybe. associated with minimal short- term donor site complications