Decellularized Dermal Strip As a Suburethral Sling in a Rat Model of Stress Urinary Incontinence Publisher Pubmed



Kajbafzadeh AM¹ ; Mozafarpour S¹ ; Ladi Seyedian SS¹ ; Khorramirouz R¹ ; Nasser Hojjati H² Show Affiliations
Source: International Urology and Nephrology Published:2015

Abstract

Introduction: To report the feasibility, efficacy and safety of decellularized dermal strip as a sling material in the pudendal denervated stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in an animal model. Methods: Thirty female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly allocated into three equal groups (n = 10). In group 1, rats underwent bilateral pudendal nerve transection (BPNT) with no vaginal sling placement. Group 2 underwent BPNT with homologous decellularized dermal strip placement as vaginal sling 12 weeks later. Group 3 was considered as controls to evaluate baseline leak point pressure (LPP). Leak point pressure was measured 18 weeks after BPNT in group 1 and 6 weeks after sling implantation in group 2. Sling and sphincter samples were prepared for histological and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Results: H&E staining of external urethral sphincter showed decrease in striated muscle layer in group 1 (BPNT) compared to control confirmed by desmin staining (45 % decrease in desmin staining). Sling implantation caused significant increase in mean LPP from 11.6 ± 2.8 cm H2O in group 1 (BPNT) to 27.2 ± 5.4 cm H2O in group 2 (BPNT/sling). There was no significant difference between LPP after the sling placement in group 2 and LPP in group 3 (27.2 ± 5.4 cm H2O vs. 27.6 ± 5.9, P = 0.832). IHC staining was positive for α-SMA and CD34. Conclusions: Based on present results, this dermal strip could be considered as a potential sling material for treatment of SUI in this animal model. This study provides the basis for further investigation of the efficacy of biological decellularized scaffold as suburethral sling material. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.