The aim of genitourethral reconstructive surgery is the complete restoration of sexual and urinary function with an acceptable cosmetic result to enable the patient to resume penetrative intercourse with confidence and have a micturition without problems. Due to the unique anatomy and texture of the male genitalia, genitalurethral reconstruction remains a challenge for surgeons. Tissue engineering has achieved significant progress in this field, thanks to a multidisciplinary approach geared to develop biological substitutes designed to restore and maintain normal function in diseased or injured tissues. Considerable work has already gone into developing a tissue-engineered urethral graft. Current efforts are focusing on implantable grafts with characteristics consistent with the physiology and function of the corresponding native healthy tissue. Graft success depends on its ability to provide an appropriate environment for cell behavior regulation such that cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation ultimately result in a tissue made up of a population of cells resembling the morphology and phenotype of the desired tissue.

More recently, tissue-engineered extracellular matrices have shown promise as biomaterials for urological reconstruction. Repair and reconstruction of genitourinary tract structures with ECM scaffolds have been extensively tried, and both successes and failures have been reported. However, human trials with encouraging short- and long-term follow-up results are becoming increasingly common. Despite the progress in technique and methodology and a continued high level of interest, widespread clinical applicability remains elusive. Achieving this goal requires tailoring advances in materials and biological research to match the needs of each system. There is cautious optimism that tissue engineering will play an increasingly large role in the management of a spectrum of urological diseases.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand penile and urethral reconstruction and tissue engineering, the development of strategies to treat these conditions, and the evaluation of outcomes. We are particularly interested in the work describing new methods for clinical characterization, advances in molecular genetics and molecular diagnostics, and new insights into tissue engineering approaches. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Urethral reconstruction
• Tissue engineering in urethral and penile reconstruction
• Failed hypospadias repair
• Phalloplasty for penis enlargement
• Peyronie’s disease: conservative and surgical treatment
• Penile prosthesis implantation

Before submission authors should carefully read over the journal’s Author Guidelines, which are located at http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/guidelines/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/submit/journals/bmri/urology/gurec/ according to the following timetable: