PURPOSE:

To evaluate small intestinal submucosa (SIS) as a possible bladder augmentation material.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Nineteen male dogs underwent 35 to 45% partial cystectomy with immediate augmentation with SIS grafts. All dogs were evaluated pre- and postoperatively with blood chemistries, urine cultures, intravenous urograms, cystograms and cystometrograms. Postoperatively (1 to 15 months), bladders were examined with routine histology and image analysis.

RESULTS:

All dogs survived their intended survival period without morbidity. All results were normal. Histologically, all 3 layers (mucosa, smooth muscle, serosa) of the normal bladder showed evidence of regeneration.

CONCLUSIONS:

Small intestinal submucosa acts as a scaffold for bladder augmentation through regeneration and could be a potential option for bladder reconstruction.