Complete Penile Disassembly for Repair of Epispadias Causes Erectile Tissue Alteration Through Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 Overexpression in a Rabbit Model

Complete detachment of the urethra from the corpus cavernosa may result in endothelial dysfunction, alteration of SMC content of erectile tissue, and replacement of the native cavernosal tissue with fibrotic tissue. An increased expression of TGF-β1, following the complete disassembly technique, might be one of the important factors causing the abovementioned alterations.