Abstract
BACKGROUND : About 8,800-34,200 Gender Dysphoria (GD)- and 39,000-650,800 Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH)-patients undergo vaginoplasty annually. Various procedures are available, but comparisons are lacking.
OBJECTIVES : To highlight information gaps, weaknesses and strengths of vaginoplasty techniques, to aid well-informed decision making by patients and healthcare professionals.
SEARCH STRATEGY : A systematic search in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus until October 6, 2022, by PICO method and PROSPERO registration.
SELECTION CRITERIA : Original retrospective studies on complete neovaginal creation in adult GD- and MRKH-patients and discussing anatomy, Quality of Life (QoL), satisfaction, sexual function, complications or complaints.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS : The 95% confidence intervals were calculated with DerSimonian and Laird random-effects. Methodological quality and potential bias were assessed.
MAIN RESULTS : In total, 35 GD- and 16 MRKH-studies were eligible. Vagina length was 11.6 and 9.5 cm, respectively.
In GD-patients, Hemorrhage (6%), prolapse (1%), gastrointestinal complications (1%), revisions (26%), pain (6%), regret (1%), fecal- (11%) and urinary issues (17%) were reported. Necrosis, stenosis, dyspareunia and revisions decreased, while duration increased with higher graft quantity. Intestinal-vaginoplasty reported 100% sensation.
MRKH-patients reported more necrosis (17%) [McIndoe] and average satisfaction with sexual function (91%) and vaginal discharge (32%). They were more sexually active (86%) and had 100% anatomical satisfaction. Only Intestinal-vaginoplasty reported overall dissatisfaction.
CONCLUSIONS : For GD- and MRKH-patients, multiple safe vaginoplasty techniques demonstrated acceptable outcomes, with significantly improved QoL and self-image. However, standardized validation tools are needed for well-informed decision-making. Direct technique comparisons per patient-cohort and exploration of tissue-engineering methods are critical for future surgical advancements.
KEYWORDS : Gender Dysphoria / Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser / vaginoplasty / outcomes / complications
FUNDING
None.