Histological and morphometrical evaluation of the urethral wall after bioresorbable stent implantation in male New Zealand White Rabbits: A preliminary study

Abstract

The aim of the study was the histological and morphometrical evaluation of the urethral wall at three time points after bioresorbable stent implantation in male New Zealand White Rabbits. The research was performed on 26 male New Zealand White rabbits aged 3-4 months and weighing 2.1-3.0 kg. Two models of bioresorbable sodium alginate-based stents were developed and implanted into the urethral lumen for one (T1), three (T3), and six weeks (T6). Sections of 5 µm thickness were cut from the urethra at intervals of 2 mm. The sliced sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Van Gieson's (VG), Von Kossa, and Movat-Russell modified pentachrome (MOVAT) staining methods. The study provided valuable information for future models of urethral stents. The first model of the stent failed to fit the requirements due to inadequate mechanical properties. It curled up on itself losing the ability to adhere to the animals' urethra and was bioresorbed three weeks after implantation. The more rigid no. 2 stent was effective in widening the urethral lumen but did not biodegrade during the experiment. A comprehensive assessment of the second model's properties of biosorption and biointegration requires an extended observation of at least 12 months for an in depth morphological analysis. Stent migration is not likely to be caused solely by the mechanical properties of the urethra or urinary flow but mainly by muscle contraction of the organ wall.