Bioengineered urethral grafts for strictures: a perspective on advancements, functional restoration, and affordability.

Urethral stricture is a chronic urological condition that remains challenging to manage due to the limitations of traditional treatments like dilation and urethroplasty, which are prone to recurrence and complications. Tissue-engineered urethral grafts have emerged as a promising alternative, offering durable, functional restoration with reduced donor site morbidity. Innovations in scaffold fabrication, especially 3D bioprinting and hydrogel-based bio-inks, have led to the creation of structurally and biologically compatible constructs that can regenerate native urothelial layers. However, high costs, technical complexity, and limited commercial viability have restricted their widespread clinical use. Future directions should prioritize cost-reduction strategies, scalable biomanufacturing, and head-to-head trials with current treatment standards.