In-vitro cultivation of urothelial cells for genito-urinary tract reconstructive surgery: an experimental study

An in-vitro system for the cultivation of urothelial cells has been developed. Urothelial cells were isolated from 30 tissue samples obtained from the urinary bladders of six adult New Zealand rabbits that underwent partial cystectomy. The cells from 15 samples were grown in M-199 culture media and that from the remaining 15 samples were grown over human placental membranes measuring 3 x 4 x 0.1 centimeter (cm) contained in the same media. Confluent cell monolayers covering the entire base of the plastic multiwells and the entire amniotic membranes were produced within 7 days respectively in all cases. Subsequent subcultures likewise achieved the same confluency within another 7 days. Morphological analysis of all cultures by inverted phase contrast microscopy revealed cells of epithelioid nature. Cells from the media were likewise concentrated by centrifugation and smeared over glass slides, heat-dried and fixed with absolute ethanol. The smears underwent Giemsa staining and were examined under light microscopy and confirmed the presence of urothelial cells. The cultured urothelial graft developed from this study is a potentially useful material for future in-vivo researches involving genito-urinary tract reconstructive surgeries.

Local prototype self-retaining ureteral stent designed from a polyvinyl tube: an animal study

The self-retaining ureteral stent has evolved to be an invaluable tool in the urologists armamentarium. Its high cost and occasional unavailability led to the innovative idea of designing a local prototype. The Fr 5 feeding tube (polyvinyl chloride) was fashioned into a self-retaining stent by utilizing the inherent property of this thermoplastic. Eight male dogs were divided into 2 groups: one group was stented for three weeks, while the other for six weeks. The prototype stents were placed at the right while silicone stents at the left ureters. Ureteral tissue reactions and tensile strengths of these stents were evaluated. Results showed that tissue reactions were more prominent on those stented with the prototype stents. However, the difference was not statistically significant.

Locating the chordee in hypospadias

Ten patients with hypospadias were included in this study. The type of hypospadias and the degree of penile bowing were described. The location and the extent of the fibrotic tissue representing the chordee were defined in relation to the corpus spongiosum, the hypospadic meatus, and the urethral plate. A common finding among all ten patients was that the location of the fibrosis extended from the area proximal to the meatus to the proximal edge of the glans penis. Splaying of the fibrotic tissue resulting in its fan-shaped formation, as classically described in most textbooks, was not noted. The relationship of the fibrotic tissue to the corpus spongiosum, to the urethral meatus, and to the urethral plate was found to be inconsistent.