Understanding male urethral mechanics: from ex vivo testing to mathematical modelling and in situ assessment, a review.
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Male urethral disorders, in particular hypospadias and urethral stricture, frequently require reconstructive surgery. However, current autologous grafts fail to replicate the supportive bed provided by the corpus spongiosum, contributing to high recurrence rates. Developing functional, off-the-shelf tissue-engineered replacements requires a comprehensive understanding of urethral mechanics, which remains fragmented in the literature. Here, we review and integrate diverse methodologies—including ex vivo mechanical testing, mathematical modelling, and in situ clinical assessments—to elucidate the complex, anisotropic, and viscoelastic properties of the male urethra. This multidimensional approach highlights physiological pressure ranges, tissue compliance, and biomechanical behaviour under dynamic conditions, stressing urethral mechanics' location- and orientation-dependency. We provide standardised mechanical guidelines and modelling frameworks that can guide the design of biomimetic urethral grafts. Ultimately, this work advances the understanding of urethral mechanics, informing regenerative medicine strategies aimed at improving long-term outcomes for patients with urethral disorders.
Source: ChemRxiv
Institution: Aalborg University
Language: English
Subfield: Urology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Strong, China Scholarship Council
OpenAlex ID: W7204949361