Lingual mucosa graft ureteroplasty for ureteral stricture: a narrative review of the current literature

Abstract

Long proximal or middle ureteral strictures remain challenging conditions. Although ileal replacement of the ureter or renal autotransplantation are possible solutions for these problems, both present complexities and considerable morbidity. In recent years, many urologists have tended to use oral mucosal grafts to repair complex proximal or middle ureteral strictures and thereby avoid ileal replacement and renal autotransplantation. A comprehensive search of oral mucosa graft ureteroplasty and lingual mucosa graft (LMG) ureteroplasty was performed. All literatures must be in English language. Most reports related to oral mucosa graft ureteroplasty focus on buccal mucosa grafts (BMGs). The available data about LMG ureteroplasty are limited. Both LMG and BMG are oral mucosa grafts that have similar histological structures. The success rates of urethroplasty with LMG and BMG are similar. Although there is still no comparative study between LMG and BMG for ureteroplasty, the limited reports show that LMG ureteroplasty is safe and effective for the management of ureteral strictures. This method provides one more option for the management of long proximal and/or middle ureteral strictures. However, the current studies on LMG ureteroplasty have a small sample size and are retrospective. More prospective, multicenter and large sample studies with long-term follow-up results that can further prove the efficacy of LMG ureteroplasty are still needed.