Modified balloon vaginoplasty: the fastest way to create a natural neovagina

• Published in: American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 2009, Vol.201 (5), p.546.e1-546.e5
• Main Authors: El Saman, Ali M., MD, Fathalla, Mohamed M.F., MD, Zakherah, Mahmoud S., MD, Shaaban, Omar M., MD, Nasr, Ahmed, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: balloon vaginoplasty; laparoscopy; Obstetrics and Gynecology; retropubic vaginoplasty; vaginal aplasia
• ISSN: 0002-9378; 1097-6868
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.09.018

We studied the feasibility of performing balloon vaginoplasty (BV) with conventional laparoscopic instruments through 2 modified techniques aiming at providing BV for open use. Three of 6 cases with vaginal aplasia were offered modified laparoscopically assisted balloon vaginoplasty (LAB-V) and the other 3 cases underwent modified retropubic balloon vaginoplasty (RBV). We measured operative time, complications, anatomical outcomes, functional outcomes, and re-intervention rates. Modified RBV and LAB-V were performed successfully in the 6 cases within 9-12 and 29-38 min, respectively. The neovagina depths were 8-10 and 9-12 cm, respectively. Anterior rectal wall needle puncture was encountered in 1 case of LAB-V group and posterior urethral wall puncture in an abnormally dilated urethra in 1 case of the RBV group; both cases passed uneventfully. Intercourse was initiated after removal of all catheters. The neovagina was a cosmetically appealing mimic to nature and stained with iodine up to its apex. It was feasible to perform balloon vaginoplasty operations without specialized instrument sets with comparable outcomes.