Histopathological evaluation of the urethra after the Snodgrass operation: An experimental study in rabbits
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Date
2002
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Abstract
Objective: To investigate the histopathological outcome of the incised urethral plate after tubularized incised-plate urethroplasty (the Snodgrass procedure to repair hypospadias) in a hypospadiac rabbit model, as it can produce meatal and neourethral strictures, and healing with scarring. Materials and methods: The study comprised 10 male New Zealand White rabbits (2.2-2.4 kg); under general anaesthesia the ventral urethra was completely excised 1 cm from the meatus proximally and a model of hypospadias formed. A full-thickness incision was then made in the distal dorsal urethra and the two sides of the incision marked by Indian ink tattooing. After placing a feeding tube (5 F) as a urethral catheter, both urethral wings were sutured ventrally by a 7/0 polydioxanone running suture, and the penile skin approximated by 5/0 chromic catgut. At 21 days and 3 months after surgery the penises were harvested. assessed histopathologically, and compared with those from control untreated rabbits of the same age and weight. Results: In the study group the incised area of the dorsal urethra was re-epithelialized; the regional tissue and vascularity were normal. Conclusion: In this rabbit model the dorsal urethral incisions healed with no scar tissue: only the ventral suture lines had minimal fibrosis and inflammatory reaction.