BACKGROUND: Many materials, including organic and synthetic prosthesis, have been described as substitutes of the genitourinary tract. The most commonly used is the ileum, which has many advantages, as easy mobilization and regular vascular pattern. However, the ideal substitute for urinary tract has not been found yet. Ileocystoplasty is not a harmless procedure, and so, investigations are constantly being made to find new substitutes. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is an extracelular matrix that can be used as a reabsorbable scaffold for tissue engineering. It allows blood vessels ingrowth, epithelial and connective cells proliferation, induces growing factors production and acquires macro and microscopic characteristics similar to the native tissue. In the urinary tract, previous experimental studies have demonstrated that SIS promotes bladder regeneration. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of an autologous SIS implant used for bladder augmentation. METHOD: Eight mongrel dogs, weighing between 8 and 15 kg, were prepared for surgery under general anesthesia. A 3cm full-thickness midline cystotomy was performed, followed by immediate augmentation with autologous small intestine submucosa patch graft. On the 30th post-operative day, the animals were re-operated and a fragment of the urinary bladder wall including its patch was removed for histopathogical study. RESULTS: All implants were well incorporated. Macroscopically, SIS could not be distinguished from the native bladder tissue. Mild adherences occurred on the anterior parietal peritoneum. No other macroscopic complications were found. Acute inflammatory response was absent, and chronic inflammatory cells were seen in mild degree. Foreign body reaction was not present, implying satisfactory biological acceptation of the SIS patch graft. Epithelialization was complete in 7/8 implants. Fibroblastic proliferation was moderate. The densitometry of collagen revealed a greater amount of collagen III. Submucosa patch absorption was moderate in most cases. CONCLUSION: We concluded that autologous small intestine submucosa promotes bladder tissue regeneration. Small intestinal submucosa can represent a new option in urinary tract reconstruction.
Small intestine submucosa; Bladder; Bioprothesis
