An approach to giant neonatal hydrocolpos with normally sited anus - Diagnosis and management including a novel one stage operation

Neonatal Single-Stage Surgical Management of Complicated Distal Vaginal Atresia: Revisiting an Appropriate and Feasible Technique

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Hydrometrocolpos is distension of the vagina and uterus with fluid other than pus or blood. It is due to distal vaginal obstruction, and one of its possible causes is agenesis of the distal vagina. Patients with distal vaginal atresia may present in the neonatal period due to stimulation of uterine and cervical glands by maternal estrogen. In this study, we presented our results in managing neonates with complicated hydrometrocolpos due to distal vaginal atresia through a single-stage abdomino-perineal pull-through vaginoplasty.

METHODS

During the period from July 2003 to June 2018, neonates presented to the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University with complicated hydrometrocolpos (complicated with obstructive uropathy, intestinal obstruction, urinary tract infection, or systemic sepsis) due to distal vaginal atresia were included in the study. All the patients underwent single-stage abdomino-perineal pull-through vaginoplasty with drainage of the accumulated fluid. The patients were followed up for re-accumulation of fluid or vaginal stenosis for at least 4 years after the procedure.

RESULTS

During the specified period, 14 neonates with complicated hydrometrocolpos due to distal vaginal atresia (complicated with obstructive uropathy, intestinal obstruction, urinary tract infection, or systemic sepsis) presented to the Department of Pediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University and underwent single-stage abdomino-perineal pull-through vaginoplasty with drainage of the accumulated fluid. Their age ranged between 4 and 18 days (mean 10, median 8). Two patients (14%) developed vaginal stenosis, which responded well to dilatation, and none of the patients had re-accumulation of the fluid during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

Single-stage abdomino-perineal pull-through vaginoplasty in neonates with complicated distal vaginal atresia (complicated with obstructive uropathy, intestinal obstruction, urinary tract infection, or systemic sepsis) is an appropriate and feasible technique with a satisfactory outcome.

TYPE OF THE STUDY

Treatment study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE RATING

IV.

Hydrometrocolpos: a Contemporary Review of the Last 5 Years

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of hydrometrocolpos, covering disease etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic and management techniques, and known outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

This narrative review presents the literature on hydrometrocolpos in the pediatric population from the past 5 years. We highlight the 69 reported cases of hydrometrocolpos and classify them based on type of obstruction or associated anomaly, discuss new diagnostic algorithms based on imaging, and present novel and underutilized surgical techniques for definitive management. Hydrometrocolpos, a condition characterized by retained fluid causing a distended vagina and uterus in the setting of a distal vaginal outflow obstruction, has a wide range of presentation severity based on the type of obstruction. Whether hydrometrocolpos is due to an isolated condition like imperforate hymen, a complex abnormality like cloacal malformation, or a part of a large congenital syndrome, the mainstay of treatment is decompression of the dilated vagina and surgical correction of the outflow obstruction. Imaging-based diagnostic algorithms and new treatment techniques reported in the literature, as well as longitudinal and patient-reported outcome research, can improve the lives of children affected by this condition.

Neonatal hydrocolpos presenting as a rapidly progressive abdominal mass with inferior caval vein syndrome

A 7-week-old infant was presented at the emergency department with an abdominal mass, unilateral swelling of the groin and suspicion of an inferior caval vein syndrome with bluish discolouration and oedema of the lower extremities. Abdominal imaging showed two large cysts and profound bilateral hydronephrosis. Following laparotomy, an extreme hydrocolpos and an overdistended urinary bladder were found. These findings turned out to be secondary to a transverse vaginal septum. She was treated surgically and was hospitalised for 2 weeks. Long-term follow-up showed normalisation of previously present hypercalciuria and hydronephrosis.A hydro(metro)colpos should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a female infant presenting with an abdominal mass, to apply the appropriate investigations and therapy.