Overview of Urethral Reconstruction by Tissue Engineering: Current Strategies, Clinical Status, and Future Direction
TLDR The best method for urethral reconstruction is using hypoxia-preconditioned stem cells with autologous cells on a vascularized synthetic scaffold.
The document reviewed various strategies for urethral reconstruction using tissue engineering, highlighting the use of scaffolds, stem cells, and growth factors. It noted that traditional treatments often led to complications, and tissue engineering offered promising alternatives. The best strategy involved using hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells combined with autologous cells on a pre-vascularized synthetic and biodegradable scaffold. Studies demonstrated successful urethral repair in animal models, but more research and long-term studies were needed to establish efficacy and safety. The review emphasized the need for multidisciplinary collaboration and advanced biomaterials to improve outcomes in urethral reconstruction.
