Long-term (>5 years) donor site outcome after mandibular labial mucosa graft harvesting for urethral reconstruction in children.

OBJECTIVE

To report long-term donor site outcome after mandibular labial mucosa graft (LMG) harvesting in children.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Donor site outcome was evaluated after a follow-up of at least 5 years in 30 patients < or =14 years of age at surgery undergoing mandibular LMG harvesting for urethral reconstruction. Outcome domains considered included intra-oral donor site scarring, alteration in salivary flow, peri-oral numbness and tightness of the mouth.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 8 years (range 6-11.8 years), at a median age at evaluation of 13.4 years (range 9-22.2 years), 16 (53%) of the patients reported to feel a thickening at the harvesting site, none reported alterations in the salivary flow, and one patient each reported tightness of the mouth and peri-oral numbness. None of the patients reported symptoms to be bothersome enough to seek treatment.

CONCLUSION

LMG harvest is safe in children and associated with minimal long-term intra-oral symptoms.