Oral (Buccal) Mucosa Graft

• It is naturally suited to a moist environment — the inside of the urinary channel is a moist environment too.
• It is thin and receives a fast blood supply from the tissue beneath it, which is why it takes so well.
• It contains no hair. Repairs made with hair-bearing skin can develop hair growth inside the channel after puberty, which causes problems.
• It is not affected by skin conditions such as lichen sclerosus, which makes it the only reasonable option in those cases.

It is most often taken from the inner surface of the cheek. The lower lip and the underside of the tongue can also be used. The piece removed is a thin layer; the muscle beneath is not touched.

• The donor site is usually left without stitches and heals on its own. Tenderness, slight difficulty opening the mouth, and temporary numbness can occur in the first few days; these generally resolve within a few weeks.

• As the lining for the new channel in the first stage of a staged repair.
• As a patch to widen a narrow plate (the Snodgraft technique).
• To open up and widen urethral strictures.
• In redo cases, once other tissues have been used up.

• Soft, lukewarm food in the first few days; avoiding acidic and spicy food.
• Hygiene with the mouthwash your doctor recommends.
• No smoking — it directly delays healing.