Urethral Reconstruction Using Mesothelial Cell-Seeded Autogenous Granulation Tissue Tube: An Experimental Study in Male Rabbits

Figure 7

Histological analysis of the margin between native urethra (upper layer) and the graft. In the unseeded grafts, discontinuous urothelial layer and myofibroblasts accumulation within the graft were observed at 1 month postoperatively. Intact urothelial layer formed and myofibroblasts accumulation were still observed at 2 months. Myofibroblasts disappeared and extensive scarring formed at 6 months. In the seeded grafts, intact urothelial layer formed at 1 month postoperatively. Smooth muscle cells were observed to infiltrate the grafts. The density of smooth muscle bundles within the grafts increased in a time-dependent manner. The grafts were completely integrated into native urethra by 6 months (original magnification 100x). The arrows indicate the margin between native urethra and the graft.