Strategies to prevent and mitigate common complications in gender affirming penile inversion vaginoplasty

While the number of gender-affirming procedures continues to boom all over the world,resulting complications from genital surgeries are on the rise as well.This paper aims to review some of the most commonly described complications of gender-affirming vaginoplasties and provide our expert opinion on how to mitigate them based on the senior author’s experience.Specifically,poor cosmesis,soft tissues related complications,rectal and urethral injuries,neovaginal stenosis,as well as intraoperative and postoperative bleeding will be addressed.

Laparoscopic and gasless laparoscopic sigmoid colon vaginoplasty in women with vaginal agenesis

Background In the past several decades we have seen multiple advances in the reconstruction for girls born with vaginal agenesis.This study aimed to evaluate the technical feasibility,anatomical and functional outcomes of one-stage laparoscopic and gasless laparoscopic vaginoplasty with sigmoid colon for the patients of vaginal agenesis （Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome）.Methods We did a retrospective review of a total of 150 women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome treated at Beijing Anzhen Hospital,Capital Medical University from March 2006 to August 2010.The patients were divided into the CO2 pneumoperitoneum laparoscopic group and the abdominal wall lift of gasless laparoscopic group.Sigmoid colon vaginoplasty approaches were performed in all of the patients.The surgical techniques,perioperative results,complications,anatomical and functional outcomes of vaginoplasty were recorded.Results All procedures were performed successfully.Significant differences in the operative time and intraoperative blood loss existed in the laparoscopic vaginoplasty group compared with the gasless laparoscopic vaginoplasty group.The patients who underwent sigmoid colon vaginoplasty had good cosmetic results without the problem of excessive mucus production.The postoperative complications were minimal.During a mean follow-up of 15.6 months,no stenosis or shrinkage was encountered.The subjective sexual satisfaction rate with the surgical outcomes in all patients was 83.3%.Conclusions Laparoscopic or gasless laparoscopic vaginoplasty with sigmoid colon are effective and feasible approaches for women with congenital vaginal agenesis.The procedures have satisfactory anatomical and functional results.

Eighty-six cases of laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment

Background The surgical management of the absence of the vagina is a complex problem and constitutes a significant technical challenge. As the laparoscopy has been an important tool for the treatment of uterovaginal anomalies, we evaluated the feasibility of laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment retrospectively. Methods Totally 86 patients who underwent laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment in Beijing Anzhen Hospital during February 2004 to July 2007 were enrolled in this study. Of the 86 patients, 70 （81.4%） underwent primary operations and 16 （18.6%） secondary operations. Nineteen （22.1%） patients underwent total laparoscopic vaginoplasty and 67 （77.9%） patients underwent laparoscope-assisted vaginoplasty. The operation time, cost of hospitalization, and hospital duration were compared between the two laparoscopic groups. The Student＇s t test and the Mann-Whitney test were used to examine the differences. Results All the surgeries were successfully completed with no any intraoperative complication. There were three major surgical complications in the postoperative period： one case of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, one case of meatal stenosis and one case of intestinal obstruction. The mean follow-up period of this series was 18 months. Seventy-eight patients were satisfied with their sexual lives after the surgeries except 5 women complaining of vaginal stenosis and 3 with no sexual partner during the follow-up. Significant differences were obtained between total laparoscopic and laparoscope-assisted vaginoplasty groups, such as the operation time, cost of hospitalization, and hospital duration （P 〈0.01）. There were no significant differences in sexual function between the two groups. Conclusions The laparoscopic vaginoplasty using an ileal segment is satisfactory for cosmetic, functional, and anatomic results. Vaginoplasty with an ileal segment, performed by either total laparoscopic or laparoscope-assisted techniques, has a high success rate for a functional vagina.

Diagnosing and Managing Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome

Introduction: Androgen insensitivity syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality of genital organs revealing a female phenotype in a person with XY chromosomes. The aim of our work is to describe the clinical aspects, to determine the chromosomal sex and to report our therapeutic management. Observation: A 28-year-old woman with female phenotype, feminine voice, normal breast development, normal underarms and pubic hair, absence of menstruation, fusion of small and large vaginal lips leaving a small pertuis to serve as urethral meatus. On the dorsal surface of the large, left lip was a mass the size of a date. Hormonal balance was normal. A feminizing genitoplasty was performed as well as excision of the mass. Histological analysis of the mass concluded that it was a feminizing testicular. Conclusion: Androgen insensitivity syndrome is a rare abnormality of the genitals. Multidisciplinary management is essential both for the designation of the breeding sex and feminizing genitoplasty.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome Presenting with Abdominal Pain: A Case Report

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by triad of uterus didelphys, obstructed hemi vagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The most common presentation is abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, and abdominal mass secondary to hemi-hematometrocolpos. We report an emergency presentation of this syndrome during the pandemic of COVID-19 in Qatif Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia, April 2020. An 11-year-old Saudi girl presented to the emergency room with three months history of cyclical lower abdominal pain. The pain was progressive, continuous and not relieved by analgesics. Abdominal examination revealed a tender abdominal mass mainly in the left iliac fossa, Ultrasound evaluation showed two uterine bodies. The left uterus was distended with complex fluid. Pelvic MRI findings consistent with Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome were found with uterine didelphys and left sided hematometra resulting from obstructed hemi-vagina and ipsilateral agenesis of the left kidney. Resection of the vaginal septum and drainage of hematometra was done. The patient recovered with normal cyclical menstruation. Cyclical or continuous lower abdominal pain with or without amenorrhea is the usual presentation of HWW syndrome during adolescence. Diagnosis is made by ultrasonography and MRI. Early diagnosis and accurate management can provide pain relief, prevent future complications, and preserve fertility.

Robotics in genital gender-affirming surgery

Gender-affirming genital surgery includes a constellation of pelvic procedures that can help feminize or masculinize the genitalia.Technological advances in robotic surgery can aid surgical access to and visualization of the pelvis,thereby facilitating certain procedures.In this scoping review,we will discuss the developing role of the robot in genital affirming genital surgery.Indications,techniques,and outcomes using the robot in both feminizing and masculinizing genital procedures will be reviewed.

Weight stigma mitigating approaches to gender-affirming genital surgery

The use of body mass index(BMI)to determine eligibility for gender-affirming surgery in transgender and nonbinary individuals has been contested.While BMI thresholds are often meant to be protective,restricting patients from access to surgery can also cause harm.There is a rationale for the continued use of BMI,but the inherent problems with it must also be recognized,including how weight stigma impacts patients’access to gender-affirming surgery and influences clinical care.This article uses a narrative review of current literature to discuss how high BMI affects surgical outcomes in gender-affirming genital surgeries,as well as analogous procedures,existing de facto BMI thresholds,and how to both minimize the harms of proceeding with surgery in patients with a high BMI or the harms of delaying for weight loss.BMI factors into surgical decision-making based on the existing literature,which demonstrates that high BMI is associated with increased surgical risk,including higher incidences of surgical site infections and poor wound healing,as well as the possibility of free flap complications,which are a component of certain genital procedures.This patient population is at higher risk for eating disorders,and it is prudent to find alternatives to requiring patient self-monitored weight management.The impacts of weight stigma should be considered when treating gender-affirming surgery patients,and further data and research are needed to augment shared decision-making and lead to practice change.