Transplantation of Autologous Minced Bladder Mucosa for a One-Step Reconstruction of a Tissue Engineered Bladder Conduit

Abstract EN

Surgical intervention is sometimes needed to create a conduit from the abdominal wall to the bladder for self-catheterization.

We developed a method for tissue engineering a conduit for bladder emptying without in vitro cell culturing as a one-step procedure.

In a porcine animal model bladder, wall tissue was excised and the mucosa was minced to small particles.

The particles were attached to a tube in a 1 : 3 expansion rate with fibrin glue and transplanted back by attaching the tube to the bladder and through the abdominal wall.

Sham served as controls.

After 4-5 weeks, conduits were assessed in respect to macroscopic and microscopic appearance in 6 pigs.

Two pigs underwent radiology before termination.

Gross examination revealed a patent conduit with an opening to the bladder.

Histology and immunostaining showed a multilayered transitional uroepithelium in all cases.

Up to 89% of the luminal surface area was neoepithelialized but with a loose attachment to the submucosa.

No epithelium was found in control animals.

CT imaging revealed a patent channel that could be used for filling and emptying the bladder.

Animals that experienced surgical complications did not form conduits.

Minced autologous bladder mucosa can be transplanted around a tubular mold to create a conduit to the urinary bladder without in vitro culturing.