Objective: To histologically evaluate, in an experimental study in rabbits, the integration process of the buccal mucosa fenestrated graft applied in the corpora cavernosa for Bracka fi rst stage urethroplasty. Materials and Methods: A urethral defect was surgically created in 16 male rabbits of the New Zealand breed through the excision of the penile urethra. The urethral defect was corrected by applying buccal mucosa fenestrated graft through two cruciform incisions in the distal portions of its longitudinal axis. The animals were sacrifi ced at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post surgery and their genitals were subjected to clinical and histological assessment. Results: The buccal mucosa fenestrated graft showed complete uptake in all groups, with keratinization squamous metaplasia and mucosal proliferation of the fenestrated areas. The fenestrated graft area represented an increase in length of 25% in length in relation to the original standard graft. Conclusions: The fenestrated buccal mucosa graft presented total integration to the adjacent epithelia with re-epithelization of the incision areas of the graft (fenestrations) and no signifi cant infl ammatory or scarring reactions when compared to other mucosa transplanted areas; therefore its application is viable in cases of extensive urethral defect whenever the donating area might be insuffi cient.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.