The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Buccal Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty

Reconstructive urethral surgery using a graft of buccal (cheek) mucosa to reconstruct urethral strictures of bulbar, penile, or panurethral location, providing high success rates and durable patency in long, complex strictures unsuitable for primary anastomotic repair.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Üroloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Buccal Mucosa Graft Urethroplasty?

Buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty is a microsurgical urethral reconstruction technique in which a free graft of buccal mucosa is harvested from the cheek and used to widen or replace strictured segments of the male urethra, restoring physiologic caliber and durable patency in strictures too long for primary excision and anastomosis.

Buccal mucosa is the preferred graft material because it is non-keratinized, elastic, easy to harvest, has rich submucosal vascular bed for revascularization, lacks hair, and resists urinary contact, providing superior long-term outcomes compared with skin grafts.

Surgical techniques include dorsal onlay (Barbagli), ventral onlay (McAninch), lateral onlay, and augmented anastomotic urethroplasty, selected based on stricture location, length, prior surgery, and surgeon experience; both single-stage and two-stage repairs are possible.

Symptoms

Long-segment urethral stricture (greater than 2–3 cm) of bulbar, penile, or panurethral location
Recurrent stricture after dilation, urethrotomy, or previous urethroplasty
Urethral stricture from lichen sclerosus (balanitis xerotica obliterans), failed hypospadias repair, or radiation
Symptoms of obstruction: weak stream, straining, prolonged voiding, urinary retention, recurrent urinary tract infection
Postoperative donor-site discomfort: oral pain, transient salivary gland obstruction, mouth tightness
Postoperative urethral fistula, diverticulum, restenosis, or graft contracture in selected cases

Risk Factors

Long stricture length (greater than 2 cm), pan-urethral involvement, multiple prior interventions
Lichen sclerosus involving urethra and glans, with chronic inflammation impairing graft take
Smoking, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and prior radiation impairing wound healing
Inadequate buccal mucosa harvest with damage to Stensen's duct or oral structures
Poor surgical technique with inadequate graft fixation, hematoma, or inadequate spongioplasty
Patient nonadherence to postoperative voiding instructions and follow-up cystoscopy

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Patient with recurrent obstructive voiding symptoms after dilation or urethrotomy — referral to reconstructive urologist for definitive urethroplasty assessment
  • Lichen sclerosus or hypospadias-related stricture — early referral to subspecialty center for staged or single-stage repair
  • Postoperative new urinary leak, infection, or worsening stream — urgent urologic review
  • Persistent oral pain, salivary obstruction, or trismus after graft harvest — oral and maxillofacial review
  • Long-term follow-up: annual uroflowmetry and selective cystoscopy to detect early recurrence

Treatment Methods

01
Preoperative evaluation: retrograde urethrogram, voiding cystourethrogram, cystoscopy, ultrasound urethrography, and assessment of stricture etiology, length, and location
02
Perioral preparation, harvest of buccal mucosa graft from cheek (avoiding Stensen's duct), defatting, and shaping to required length and width
03
Surgical exposure of strictured urethral segment with stricturotomy, placement of graft as dorsal, ventral, or lateral onlay, fixation to corpus spongiosum or tunica albuginea, and tension-free urethral closure
04
Postoperative urethral catheterization for 2–3 weeks, voiding cystourethrogram before catheter removal, and patient education about voiding mechanics
05
Long-term surveillance with uroflowmetry, post-void residual, and cystoscopy at scheduled intervals to detect and manage stricture recurrence early

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Üroloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Üroloji Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Appendicitis

Genel Cerrahi

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix causing severe pain in the lower right abdomen. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment are life-saving.

Inguinal Hernia

Genel Cerrahi

Inguinal hernia is the protrusion of intestine or fat into the inguinal canal due to weakness in the abdominal wall. It can be permanently corrected with surgical treatment.

Umbilical Hernia

Genel Cerrahi

Umbilical hernia manifests as a soft swelling around the navel. While it often resolves spontaneously in infants, surgical treatment may be required in adults.

Gallstones and Cholecystectomy

Genel Cerrahi

Gallstones cause severe pain in the upper right abdomen, especially after fatty meals. They are safely treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Hemorrhoids (Piles)

Genel Cerrahi

Hemorrhoids result from swelling of the veins in the anus; they present with blood on toilet paper, itching, and pain. Various treatments are available, from lifestyle changes to surgery.

Anal Fissure

Genel Cerrahi

Anal fissure is a tear in the thin skin of the anal canal. It presents with sharp pain and bleeding and can be healed with medical or surgical treatment.

Pilonidal Sinus

Genel Cerrahi

Pilonidal sinus consists of tunnels and tracts prone to chronic infection, formed by hair becoming embedded under the skin in the tailbone area. Surgical treatment provides a permanent solution.

Thyroid Surgery

Genel Cerrahi

Thyroid surgery involves the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland for indications such as benign nodules, goiter, and thyroid cancer.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.