Long-Term Donor Site Outcome After Mandibular Labial Mucosa Graft Harvesting For Urethral Reconstruction In Children

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 15 Jan 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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UroToday.com - We often see reports of long-term outcomes of hypospadias repair after inlay grafts. We seldom, or if ever, hear about the long-term effects on the donor site. Castagnetti et al. report long-term donor site outcome after mandibular labial mucosa graft (LMG) harvesting in children.

Donor site outcome was evaluated after a follow-up of at least 5 years in 30 patients 14 years of age and under at the time of mandibular LMG harvesting for urethral reconstruction. Outcomes included intra-oral donor site scarring, alteration in salivary flow, peri-oral numbness, and tightness of the mouth.

The group found that after a median follow-up of 8 years (range 6-11.8 years) and at a median age at evaluation of 13.4 years (range 9-22.2 years), 16 (53%) patients reported feeling a thickening at the harvesting site, none reported alterations in the salivary flow, and tightness of the mouth and peri-oral numbness were reported in 1 patient each. None of the patients reported symptoms to be bothersome enough to seek treatment.

The group concluded that LMG harvest is safe in children and associated with minimal long-term intra-oral symptoms. I applaud this evaluation of the donor site. Sometimes we are too focused on the surgical area that is causing the majority of the concern, but we need to ensure that our patients are safe not only from the reconstruction, but from the donor sites as well.

Castagnetti M, Longo R, Tocco A, Berrettini A, Rigamonti W
J Pediatr Urol. 2008 Dec;4(6):442-4

Written by UroToday.com Medical Editor Pasquale Casale, MD

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