Healing of the urethral plate after deep incision: Does catheterization change the course of this process?

Background: We aimed to evaluate the sequence of healing process as well as possible effects of stent placement on the healing process after deep urethral plate incision. Methods: A deep urethral plate incision was done at the 12 o'clock position. After that, in the first group (n = 14) the anterior urethra was stented with a silicon catheter. Animals in the second group (n = 14) underwent the same incision procedure, however no stent was placed after this operation. All animals in both groups were again divided into three groups with respect to the follow-up period (7 - 14 and 21 days). Partial penectomy was performed in all subgroups and histopathologic evaluation performed. Results: In the first group after 7 days, limited neovascularization and granulation tissue formation could be noted far away from the epithelial lumen. Evaluation of these specimens during the long-term follow- up ( 21 days) demonstrated an almost completely healed tissue with a remarkable neovascularization and well-developed granulation tissue. In the second group during 14 - 21 days, evaluation progression of tissue healing along with increasing vessel formation and re-epithelialization were demonstrated. Although the incision edges did show evident approximation, no sign of fibrosis could be demonstrated in these specimens. Conclusion: We may say that tissue healing with a desired and complete re-epithelialization could be achieved without inserting a catheter. Prevention of re-approximation along with the limited urinary extravasations to the subepithelial area might be responsible for tissue protection that will limit the long-term aforementioned adverse effects of the procedure. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Base