A posterior sagittal approach for revision vaginoplasty

To review our experience with revision vaginoplasty without using bowel, by the posterior sagittal approach.

The notes of eight patients (median age 12.3 years, range 9.0-15.6) were retrospectively reviewed; all had had revision vaginoplasty using a posterior sagittal approach. Their original diagnosis was cloacal anomaly in three, urogenital sinus in two, cloacal exstrophy in two, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia in one patient.

Indications for re-operation included: haematocolpos in four patients, absent vaginal opening in two, hydrocolpos in one, and vesico-vaginal fistula in one. The vagina was reconstructed by total urogenital mobilization in seven patients and in one by anastomosing anterior and posterior aspects of a duplicated vagina. The vagina was mobilized by up to 6 cm in this manner. Bowel was not required for any of the vaginoplasties. The median (range) inpatient stay was 6 (4-17) days after surgery and the median follow-up was 35.3 (4.5-50) months. One patient developed a vesico-vaginal fistula and vaginal stenosis, and had further surgery. Two patients required subsequent use of vaginal dilators. The remainder have had a satisfactory outcome.

For revisional vaginal surgery the posterior approach provides excellent exposure, and can be useful in dealing with a variety of pathologies. Combined with total urogenital mobilization, vaginoplasty can be successful despite long common channels. However, there were still several complications.