Urethral replacement with tunica vaginalis: a pilot study.

A vascularized tube flap of tunica vaginalis was used to replace the penile urethra in 12 rabbits. Ten flaps were available for assessment, 2 flaps became necrotic as a result of compression of the vascular pedicle and 1 rabbit had a proximal anastomotic stricture. The healing process was satisfactory clinically and histologically in the remaining 7 flaps.