Self‐Assessment of Genital Anatomy and Sexual Function within a Belgian, Dutch‐Speaking Female Population: A Validation Study

Phalloplasty in cis-men with penile insufficiency: evaluation of outcomes and surgical complications : Good ability to achieve orgasm, high urinary complication rate

Phalloplasty is the gold-standard treatment for cis-men with penile insufficiency, which is often secondary to congenital conditions. The study-objective is to evaluate the functional outcomes and surgical complications in this population. A retrospective database comprised of cis-men undergoing a phalloplasty at a tertiary referral center from 2004 to 2019 was created. Phalloplasty was performed with various flaps. The tube-within-tube-technique was used for urethroplasty when possible. Complications <30 days postoperative were categorized according to Clavien-Dindo. Functional outcomes were assessed by bladder emptying and ability to achieve orgasm. Thirty patients were included. Nineteen of them needed urethroplasty, the remaining 11 patients had a catheterizable stoma. Within 30 days postoperative, 3 patients (10%) developed partial-flap necrosis (Clavien-Dindo III), 1 patient (3.3%) developed graft failure (Clavien-Dindo III), 2 patients (6.6%) developed infected hematomas (Clavien-Dindo III) and 1 phalloplasty (3.3%) was complicated by hematuria (Clavien-Dindo II). In the long-term, 10 patients (33%) developed fistulae, 6 (20%) requiring urethroplasty. Seven patients (23%) had urethral strictures, all needing urethroplasty or urethrotomy. Sixteen patients (84%) emptied their bladder per urethra, the three remaining necessitated conversion to perineostomy. Median (IQR) Q_max on uroflow was 15.7 (11.9-19.2)mL/s with median (IQR) voiding volume of 259 (137-307) mL and median (IQR) residual volume of 11.5 (0-20) ml on ultrasound. All patients but 1 (97%) reported ability to achieve orgasm. RFFA and ALT result in phalli with great ability to achieve orgasm but urethral complications are frequent.

Clitoral hoodplasty in females with disorders of sex development

INTRODUCTION

The surgical management of girls with masculinized genitalia is gradually changing towards a more conservative approach. Reports on loss of clitoral sensitivity and related impairment of sexual function in women after feminizing genital surgery in childhood have been pivotal in this evolution. An exposed clitoral glans is occasionally seen at follow-up, and while patients may complain of aesthetics, no clitoral discomfort secondary to glans exposure has been reported. A technique has been developed to reconstruct the clitoral hood and the present study reports the preliminary results.

OBJECTIVES

To report the novel technique and preliminary results of clitoral hood reconstruction to cover an exposed glans after previous clitoroplasty in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Six female patients (mean age 13, range 4-21 years) with CAH sought medical help for clitoral concerns after previous reduction clitoroplasty. In two of the six patients, the main complaint was clitoral hypersensitivity or even pain. The clitoral glans was completely exposed in all patients, who were subsequently treated with a bi-laminar V-Y clitoral hoodplasty to create a mobile and natural-looking clitoral hood composed of an inner and outer preputial skin layer.

RESULTS

Postoperative covering of the glans was complete in five patients, and partial in one. The two patients with pre-operative pain became asymptomatic; all six patients were pleased with the cosmetic postoperative results.

CONCLUSION

Clitoral hoodplasty provides simple, yet effective, relief for women with cosmetic concerns or clitoral discomfort after previous feminizing surgery.

Timing and Outcome Concerns regarding Feminizing Genitoplasty from the Perspective of Egyptian Families of Girls with Virilized External Genitalia

BACKGROUND

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia in females leads to virilization of external genitalia and persistent urogenital sinus. There are controversies regarding the timing and outcomes of surgery. Deferring surgeries beyond childhood is difficult to implement in conservative societies, and may result in stigmatization and distress to individuals with disorders of sexual differentiation and their families.

METHODS

Thirty girls with virilization due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia were admitted for single-stage feminizing genitoplasty, between 2011 and 2014. We prospectively studied the concerns and input of the families represented by the mothers. After comprehensive counselling, the mothers completed a questionnaire to clarify their priorities and concerns related to surgery.

RESULTS

Surgeries were performed at a mean age of 22 months. Most cases ranged between Prader's degrees III and IV. Egyptian families believe that early surgical reconstruction is in the best interest of their girls. They are marginally more concerned about functional outcomes and future child bearing than external appearance and cosmetic outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Social difficulties noticeably add challenges to the management plan within conservative societies. Early genital reconstructive surgery, when reasonably indicated, needs to remain a viable option. Comprehensive psychosocial support within a multidisciplinary approach is needed to defer feminizing genitoplasty in selected cases to adolescence.