Stone-induced urethral fistula treatment with microfragmented adipose tissue containing mesenchymal stem cells: a case report from veterinary medicine with potential application in humans

TL;DR

A dog with a urethral fistula caused by stones was successfully treated using a regenerative therapy involving fat tissue and stem cells, showing potential for human applications.

Contribution

Demonstrates successful use of microfragmented adipose tissue with stem cells in treating a urethral fistula in a canine model.

Findings

The regenerative therapy combined with surgery healed the urethral defect in a dog.

Positive-contrast cystography confirmed successful healing one month post-treatment.

The one-year follow-up showed no complications, suggesting long-term efficacy.

Abstract

We report on a case of a two-year-old male dog, breed chow-chow, who suffered from urethral fistula as a result of ureterolithiasis. The urethral defect was identified intraoperatively with methylene blue. An autologous regenerative approach was combined with surgical closure of the defect, due to the well-known healing issues of the urethral wall in such conditions. A part of abdominal fat tissue was dissected to produce microfragmented adipose tissue containing mesenchymal stem cells, which was combined with platelet-rich plasma. The final product was applied in the area around the urethral defect closure. One month after the procedure, healing was confirmed with positive-contrast cystography. This therapeutic approach yielded success, and the follow-up period of one year was uneventful. The observed positive outcome of this approach in the canine model may be considered as a starting point for investigating the translational potential of the treatment in human medicine.

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