Buccal mucosal graft for urethral reconstruction.

Urethral reconstruction with graft substances, such as skin and bladder mucosa, has been previously used when primary anastomosis cannot be achieved. However, stricture and meatal prolapse are associated with these grafts. We report the use of buccal mucosa for the reconstruction of urethral defects in 3 patients. One patient with failed operation for hypospadias received tube buccal mucosal graft for urethral replacement. Two patients with urethral necrosis and stricture received onlay buccal mucosal graft. All patients were disease-free during follow-up (range, 12 to 49 months; mean, 36 months). One patient had a pinhole fistula that was successfully managed with simple repair. This technique appears to be useful for urethral reconstruction when a local graft is not available, even in patients with complicated conditions.