Vaginoplasty for Gender Dysphoria and Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

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.

Vagina reconstruction by decellularization of healthy human vaginal tissue

“…Consequent lack of or excessive vaginal mucus production, aesthetic issues and inadequate neovaginal lengths regularly requires revisional surgery [28]- [33]. Hence, vaginoplasty outcome is not always satisfactory, with substantial room for improvement [11], [29], [32], [34]- [36].…”