Non-grafted Vaginal Depth Augmentation for Transgender Atresia, Our Experience and Survey of Related Procedures

Classification and treatment of vaginal strictures at the donor-recipient anastomosis after uterus transplant

OBJECTIVE

To describe the incidence and management of vaginal stricture after uterus transplantation (UTx) in the US, to propose a grading system to classify stricture severity, and to identify risk factors for stricture formation.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

University Hospital.

PATIENTS

Recipients undergoing UTx from 2016-2023 at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Cleveland Clinic, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham were monitored postoperatively with regular pelvic examinations. Stricture was defined as vaginal narrowing of <3 cm in patients with graft survival of at least 7 days.

INTERVENTION

Demographic and surgery characteristics.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Stricture development and severity (grade 1 for diameter 2-<3 cm, grade 2 for 1-<2 cm, or grade 3 for <1 cm).

RESULTS

Of the 45 UTx from 2016-2023 (16 deceased donors and 29 living donors), 3 were excluded from the analysis because of graft loss within 7 days. Of the 42 remaining recipients, 39 (92.9%) had Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome and 3 (7.1%) had a prior hysterectomy. Twenty-eight (66.7%) UTx recipients developed postoperative vaginal strictures with a median time to stricture of 33 days (interquartile range 19-53 days). Most strictures were of moderate severity, with 4 (14.3%) strictures categorized as grade 1, 19 (67.9%) as grade 2, and 5 (17.9%) as grade 3. History of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome and preoperative recipient vaginal length were significant risk factors for stricture, after adjustment for donor and recipient age and body mass index, anastomosis technique, total ischemia time, center, and year. Patients with longer preoperative vaginal length had a lower risk of stricture (hazard ratio 0.45, 0.29-0.70). The severity grading of the stricture was associated with the effectiveness of a nonoperative treatment approach (grade 1 vs. grade 3). No patients with grade 3 strictures improved with self-dilation alone; all required surgical repair and/or dilation under anesthesia. Conversely, for grade 1 or 2 strictures, self-dilation alone was successful in 47.8% (11/23), and no grade 1 strictures required surgical repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal stricture is a common postoperative complication after UTx, affecting >65% of recipients. Short preoperative vaginal length and history of müllerian agenesis in the recipient are significant risk factors. Vaginal self-dilation was effective for some mild to moderate strictures, although dilation under anesthesia or surgical repair was required in most cases.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS

Dallas UtErus Transplant Study (DUETS) at Baylor University Medical Center (NCT02656550), Uterine transplantation for the treatment of uterine factor infertility at the Cleveland Clinic (NCT02573415), The University of Pennsylvania Uterus Transplant for Uterine Factor Infertility Trial (UNTIL) (NCT03307356).

Maximizing surgical outcomes with gender affirming hormone therapy in gender affirmation surgery

Gender Affirmation Surgery (GAS) is a super specialized subset within the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) that is ever evolving and of increasing interest to the PRS community. It is a multifaceted process which, in addition to surgical therapy, involves mental health therapy and hormonal therapy. One rapidly emerging interest within GAS is the role that gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) plays in enhancing surgical outcomes. GAHT has been used adjunctively with GAS as a comprehensive therapy to ameliorate gender dysphoria. This literature review will examine the positive effects of GAHT on the surgical outcomes on GAS, as well as other important considerations prior to surgery. As such, the primary objective of this literature review is to evaluate and assess the current evidence concerning the efficacy and safety of GAHT, as it relates to Gender Affirmation Surgery procedures.

Improved sexuality and satisfactory lubrication after genital affirmation surgery using penile skin inversion in transgender women: A satisfaction study

INTRODUCTION

Genital affirmation surgery (GAS) requests are consistently increasing in demand. The gold standard is penile skin inversion, using cutaneous grafting for neovagina creation. The aim is to achieve the most realistic results both physically and functionally. Different studies have contradictory results, and the use of lubrication is insufficiently clear, while the use of sigmoidoplasty has been defended for constant lubrication.

AIMS

Our aim was to evaluate transgender women's sexual function and lubrication after vaginoplasty by penile skin inversion.

METHODS

We performed a prospective study on 45 patients who underwent primary penile inversion vaginoplasty. Participants answered two questionnaires during the follow-up consultation: the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and an 18-item custom questionnaire.

RESULTS

The average FSFI score of our patients was 28.9, up to the cut-off defining a sexual disorder. Compared to the Wylomanski control group, no differences were found for the FSFI score and in the subgroups. Considering lubrication, 69% of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their lubrication. Furthermore, 53% reported a fluid release at each orgasm.

CONCLUSION

This study reported high satisfaction for both sexuality and lubrication, proning against penile inversion's GAS bad reputation concerning postoperative lubrication. A squirting effect was described for the first time and was present in 53% of our transpatients.

Vaginal self-lubrication following peritoneal, penile inversion, and colonic gender-affirming vaginoplasty: a physiologic, anatomic, and histologic review

INTRODUCTION

Vaginal self-lubrication is central to the sexual satisfaction and healthy genitourinary function of patients who have undergone gender-affirming vaginoplasty (GAV). Secretory capacities of different neovaginal lining tissues have been variably described in the literature, with little evidence-based consensus on their success in providing a functionally self-lubricating neovagina. We review the existing neovaginal lubrication data and the anatomy, histology, and physiology of penile and scrotal skin, colon, and peritoneum to better characterize their capacity to be functionally self-lubricating when used as neovaginal lining.

OBJECTIVES

The study sought to review and compare the merits of penile and scrotal skin grafts, spatulated urethra, colon, and peritoneal flaps to produce functional lubrication analogous to that of the natal vagina in the setting of GAV.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Medline, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies published prior to December 12, 2022, that (1) included data specific to transfeminine individuals; (2) were full-text randomized controlled studies, case reports, case series, retrospective cohort studies, prospective cohort studies, qualitative studies, and cross-sectional studies; and (3) included specific discussion of vaginal lubrication or fluid secretion following GAV utilizing penile skin, colonic tissue, or peritoneum.

RESULTS

We identified 580 studies, of which 28 met our inclusion criteria. Data on neovaginal lubrication were limited to qualitative clinician observations, patient-reported outcomes, and satisfaction measures. No studies quantifying neovaginal secretions were identified for any GAV graft or flap technique. Anatomically, penile and scrotal skin have no self-lubricating potential, though penile inversion vaginoplasty may produce some sexually responsive secretory fluid when urethral tissue is incorporated and lubricating genitourinary accessory glands are retained. Colonic and peritoneal tissues both have secretory capacity, but fluid production by these tissues is continuous, nonresponsive to sexual arousal, and likely inappropriate in volume, and so may not meet the needs or expectations of some patients. The impact of surgical tissue translocation on their innate secretory function has not been documented.

CONCLUSIONS

None of penile/scrotal skin, colon, or peritoneum provides functional neovaginal lubrication comparable to that of the adult natal vagina. Each tissue has limitations, particularly with respect to inappropriate volume and/or chronicity of secretions. The existing evidence does not support recommending one GAV technique over others based on lubrication outcomes. Finally, difficulty distinguishing between physiologic and pathologic neovaginal fluid secretion may confound the assessment of neovaginal self-lubrication, as many pathologies of the neovagina present with symptomatic discharge.

Outcome measures reported following feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery for transgender women and gender diverse individuals: A systematic review

Background

Feminizing genital gender affirmation surgery (fgGAS) may be an essential adjunct in the care of some transgender women and gender diverse individuals with gender incongruence. However, the comparison of different techniques of fgGAS may be confounded by variable outcome reporting and the use of inconsistent outcomes in the literature. This systematic review provides the most in-depth examination of fgGAS studies to date, and summarizes all reported outcomes, definitions, and the times when outcomes were assessed following these surgical interventions. Aims/Methods: This work intends to quantify the levels of outcome variability and definition heterogeneity in this expanding field and provides guidance on outcome reporting for future study authors. Candidate studies for this systematic review were sourced via an electronic, multi-database literature search. All primary, clinical research studies of fgGAS were included with no date limits. Paired collaborators screened each study for inclusion and performed data extraction to document the outcomes, definitions, and times of outcome assessment following fgGAS.

Results

After screening 1225 studies, 93 studies proceeded to data extraction, representing 7681 patients. 2621 separate individual outcomes were reported, 857 (32.7%) were defined, and the time of outcome assessment was given for 1856 outcomes (70.8%) but relied on nonspecific ranges of follow-up dates. "Attainment of orgasm", "Neovaginal stenosis", and "Neovaginal depth/length" were among the most commonly reported outcomes. Profound heterogeneity existed in the definitions used for these and for all outcomes reported in general.

Discussion

The results demonstrate a need for clear outcomes, agreed definitions, and times of outcome assessment following fgGAS in transgender women and gender diverse individuals. The adoption of a consistent set of outcomes and definitions reported by all future studies of fgGAS (a Core Outcome Set) will aid in improving treatment comparisons in this patient group. This review is the first step in that process.

ESSM Position Statement "Sexual Wellbeing After Gender Affirming Surgery"

INTRODUCTION

Much has been published on the surgical and functional results following Gender Affirming Surgery ('GAS') in trans individuals. Comprehensive results regarding sexual wellbeing following GAS, however, are generally lacking.

AIM

To review the impact of various GAS on sexual wellbeing in treatment seeking trans individuals, and provide a comprehensive list of clinical recommendations regarding the various surgical options of GAS on behalf of the European Society for Sexual Medicine.

METHODS

The Medline, Cochrane Library and Embase databases were reviewed on the results of sexual wellbeing after GAS.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURE

The task force established consensus statements regarding the somatic and general requirements before GAS and of GAS: orchiectomy-only, vaginoplasty, breast augmentation, vocal feminization surgery, facial feminization surgery, mastectomy, removal of the female sexual organs, metaidoioplasty, and phalloplasty. Outcomes pertaining to sexual wellbeing- sexual satisfaction, sexual relationship, sexual response, sexual activity, enacted sexual script, sexuality, sexual function, genital function, quality of sex life and sexual pleasure- are provided for each statement separately.

RESULTS

The present position paper provides clinicians with statements and recommendations for clinical practice, regarding GAS and their effects on sexual wellbeing in trans individuals. These data, are limited and may not be sufficient to make evidence-based recommendations for every surgical option. Findings regarding sexual wellbeing following GAS were mainly positive. There was no data on sexual wellbeing following orchiectomy-only, vocal feminization surgery, facial feminization surgery or the removal of the female sexual organs. The choice for GAS is dependent on patient preference, anatomy and health status, and the surgeon's skills. Trans individuals may benefit from studies focusing exclusively on the effects of GAS on sexual wellbeing.

CONCLUSION

The available evidence suggests positive results regarding sexual wellbeing following GAS. We advise more studies that underline the evidence regarding sexual wellbeing following GAS. This position statement may aid both clinicians and patients in decision-making process regarding the choice for GAS. Özer M, Toulabi SP, Fisher AD, et al. ESSM Position Statement "Sexual Wellbeing After Gender Affirming Surgery". Sex Med 2022;10:100471.

Refinement of recto-sigmoid colon vaginoplasty using a three-dimensional laparoscopic technique

To investigate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes of three-dimensional (3D) laparoscopic vaginoplasty with a rectosigmoid colon flap for vaginal reconstruction.Following appropriate preoperative patient counseling, 17 consecutive patients underwent vaginoplasty using a 3D laparoscopic system. Perioperative and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively evaluated.Between September 2016 and February 2020, 17 patients underwent 3D laparoscopic vaginoplasty with a rectosigmoid colon flap. Of them, 15 (88%) were transgender female patients, and 2 (12%) were cisgender female patients with congenital deformities. Among the 15 transgender patients, 12 (80%) underwent de novo surgeries and 3 (20%) underwent re-do surgeries. The mean age at the time of operation was 33.0 years, and the mean total operation time was 529 ± 128 minutes. The initial intraoperative mean vaginal depth was 15.2 ± 1.3 cm, and the 30-day readmission rate was 5.9% (1/17 cases). The mean follow-up duration was 24.8 months.Perioperative and postoperative outcomes suggest that 3D laparoscopic rectosigmoid colon vaginoplasty is a potentially acceptable, effective, and safe method for vaginal reconstruction.

Surgical Therapy After Failed Feminizing Genitoplasty in Young Adults With Disorders of Sex Development: Retrospective Analysis and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Secondary vaginal stenosis may occur after reconstruction of genital malformations in childhood or after failed vaginal aplasia repair in adults.

AIM

This study focusses on the results of the surgical treatment of these patients in our multidisciplinary transitional disorders/differences of sex development team of pediatric surgeons and gynecologists.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was carried out on adult and female identified disorders/differences of sex development patients with vaginal stenoses treated between 2015 and 2018 in a single center with revision vaginoplasty. The underlying type of malformation, the number and surgical techniques of vaginoplasties in infancy, techniques of revision of the stenotic vagina, vaginal length and caliber, possibility of sexual intercourse, and temporary vaginal dilatation. A review of literature with regard to recommended surgical techniques of revision vaginoplasties was accomplished.

OUTCOMES

To describe the surgical technique, the main outcome measures of this study are vaginal calipers after revision vaginoplasty as well as ability for sexual intercourse.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients presented with vaginal stenosis with a median age of 19 years (range 16-31). All patients had one or more different types of vaginoplasties in their medical history, with a median age at first vaginoplasty of 15 months (0-233). Underlying anatomical conditions were urogenital sinus (n = 8), vaginal agenesis (n = 2), persistent cloacae (n = 2), and cloacal exstrophy (n = 1). The main symptoms were disability of sexual intercourse in 13 patients due to stenotic vaginal tissue. The most frequently performed surgical technique was partial urogenital mobilization with a perineal or lateral flaps (n = 10), followed by bowel vaginoplasty (n = 2), in 1 patient a revision vaginoplasty failed due to special anatomical conditions. In a median follow-up of 11 months, all but one patient presented with physiological vaginal length and width, and normal sexual intercourse in those with a partnership.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Perineal flap with partial urogenital mobilization should be considered as a treatment of choice in severe cases of distal vaginal stenosis and after multiple failed former vaginoplasties, while bowel vaginoplasty should be reserved only for cases of complete cicatrization or high located stenosis of the vagina.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

The strength of this study is the detailed description of several cases while the retrospective character is a limitation.

CONCLUSION

In patients after feminizing genital repair, perineal flap with partial urogenital mobilization provides a normal anatomical outcome and allows unproblematic sexual intercourse. Ellerkamp V, Rall KK, Schaefer J, et al. Surgical Therapy After Failed Feminizing Genitoplasty in Young Adults With Disorders of Sex Development: Retrospective Analysis and Review of the Literature. J Sex Med 2021;18:1797-1806.

Vaginoplasty tips and tricks

Vaginoplasty is a commonly performed surgery for the transfeminine patient. In this review, we discuss how to achieve satisfactory surgical outcomes, and highlight solutions to common complications involved with the surgery, including: wound separation, vaginal stenosis, hematoma, and rectovaginal fistula. Pre-operative evaluation and standard technique are outlined. Goal outcomes regarding aesthetics, creation of a neocavity, urethral management, labial appearance, vaginal packing and clitoral sizing are all described. Peritoneal vaginoplasty technique and visceral interposition technique are detailed as alternatives to the penile inversion technique in case they are needed to be used. Post-operative patient satisfaction, patient care plans, and solutions to common complications are reviewed.

Sexual health after vaginoplasty: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Vaginoplasty is a gender-affirming procedure for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients who experience gender incongruence. This procedure reduces mental health concerns and enhances patients' quality of life. A systematic review investigating the sexual health outcomes of vaginoplasty has not been performed.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate sexual health after gender-affirming vaginoplasty for TGD patients.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were searched, unrestricted by dates or study design.

METHODS

We included primary literature that incorporated TGD patients, reported sexual health outcomes after vaginoplasty intervention and were available in English. Outcomes included at least one of these sexual health parameters: sexual desire, arousal, sensation, activity, secretions, satisfaction, pleasure, orgasm, interferences, or aids.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 140 studies with 12 different vaginoplasty surgical techniques and 6,953 patients. The majority of these studies were cross-section or retrospective cohort observational studies (66%). 17.4%-100% (median 79.7%) of patients (n = 2,384) were able to orgasm postoperatively regardless of revision or primary vaginoplasty techniques. Female Sexual Function Index was the most used standardized questionnaire (17 studies, ranging from 16.9 to 28.6). 64%-98% (median 81%) of patients were satisfied with their general sexual satisfaction. The most common interference of sexual activity was dyspareunia.

CONCLUSIONS

The heterogenous methods of measuring sexual outcomes reflect the difficulty in comparing single-center surgical outcomes, encouraging the need for a standardized and validated metric for reporting sexual health after vaginoplasty for TGD patients. The most common sexual health parameter reported is sexual activity while therapeutic aids and pleasure were the least reported parameters. Future studies are needed to improve and expand methods of measuring sexual health, including prospective studies, validated questionnaires, and inclusive metrics. Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO 01/01/2021: CRD42021224014.

The neovaginal microbiome of transgender women post-gender reassignment surgery

BACKGROUND

Gender reassignment surgery is a procedure some transgender women (TW) undergo for gender-affirming purposes. This often includes the construction of a neovagina using existing penile and scrotal tissue and/or a sigmoid colon graft. There are limited data regarding the composition and function of the neovaginal microbiome representing a major gap in knowledge in neovaginal health.

RESULTS

Metaproteomics was performed on secretions collected from the neovaginas (n = 5) and rectums (n = 7) of TW surgically reassigned via penile inversion/scrotal graft with (n = 1) or without (n = 4) a sigmoid colon graft extension and compared with secretions from cis vaginas (n = 32). We identified 541 unique bacterial proteins from 38 taxa. The most abundant taxa in the neovaginas were Porphyromonas (30.2%), Peptostreptococcus (9.2%), Prevotella (9.0%), Mobiluncus (8.0%), and Jonquetella (7.2%), while cis vaginas were primarily Lactobacillus and Gardnerella. Rectal samples were mainly composed of Prevotella and Roseburia. Neovaginas (median Shannon's H index = 1.33) had higher alpha diversity compared to cis vaginas (Shannon's H = 0.35) (p = 7.2E-3, Mann-Whitney U test) and were more similar to the non-Lactobacillus dominant/polymicrobial cis vaginas based on beta diversity (perMANOVA, p = 0.001, r2 = 0.342). In comparison to cis vaginas, toll-like receptor response, amino acid, and short-chain fatty acid metabolic pathways were increased (p < 0.01), while keratinization and cornification proteins were decreased (p < 0.001) in the neovaginal proteome.

CONCLUSIONS

Penile skin-lined neovaginas have diverse, polymicrobial communities that show similarities in composition to uncircumcised penises and host responses to cis vaginas with bacterial vaginosis (BV) including increased immune activation pathways and decreased epithelial barrier function. Developing a better understanding of microbiome-associated inflammation in the neovaginal environment will be important for improving our knowledge of neovaginal health. Video Abstract.

What urologists need to know about male to female genital confirmation surgery (vaginoplasty): techniques, complications and how to deal with them

Vaginoplasty is the most commonly performed genital surgery for gender affirmation. Male-to-female (MTF) patients are roughly four times more likely to undergo genital surgery than female-to-male (FTM) patients. Penile inversion vaginoplasty is the most common technique used today, although there are also lesser used alternative methods including visceral interposition and pelvic peritoneal vaginoplasty. In general, outcomes are excellent, and many of the complications are self-limited. Most surgeons performing genital surgery for gender dysphoria adhere to the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) guidelines for determining who is a candidate for surgery. Currently, there are no absolute contraindications to vaginoplasty in a patient who is of the age of majority in their country, only relative contraindications which include active smoking and morbid obesity. Important complications include flap necrosis, rectal and urethral injuries, rectal fistula, vaginal stenosis, and urethral fistula. When performed correctly in excellent surgical candidates by skilled surgeons, vaginoplasty can be a rewarding surgical endeavor for the patient and surgeon.

Neovaginal Construction with Pelvic Peritoneum: Reviewing an Old Approach for a New Application

Transgender reassignment surgeries have become a major topic of interest within the last decade. Although there are numerous surgical techniques for male-to-female reassignment, a physician must assess each patient's anatomy and past medical history to determine the most suitable technique. Additionally, patient preference is important. The neovaginal constructive technique most commonly used in male-to-female reassignment surgery is penile skin inversion, but various other techniques and tissues can also be used including pelvic peritoneum, buccal mucosa, and bowel. Surgical text descriptions were enhanced by creating new anatomical illustrations. Donor and recipient site anatomies, and the surgical technique leading to creation of the neovagina, are demonstrated in detail with relevant illustrations. A review of the literature concerning the anatomy, procedure development, and outcomes is presented. The pelvic peritoneum was originally used in neovaginal construction for females with vaginal agenesis as a result of MRKH syndrome. The use of this technique to create a neovagina in male-to-female transgender reassignment surgery has become appealing owing to the relative ease of the procedure, low complication rates, and overall high patient satisfaction. This technique offers a potential new choice for transgender male-to-female neovaginal construction, but further studies are needed to confirm its successful use in transgender surgery. Clin. Anat. 31:175-180, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.