[Comparison study between two types of vaginoplasty]

To investigate the clinical therapeutic effects of two types of vaginoplasty.

From January 1996 to March 2005, 63 patients with the congenital absence of the vagina were treated by two types of vaginoplasty. Of the 63 patients, 37 underwent vaginoplasty using the amnion and 26 underwent an improved laparoscopic Vecchietti operation. The durations of the operation and hospitalization, as well as the blood loss were compared between the two types of vaginoplasty. The vaginal moulds were improved during the operations.

According to the follow-up for 2 months to 4 years in the 35 patients. Compared with vaginoplasty using the amnion, vaginoplasty by an improved laparoscopic Vecchietti operation had advantages of significantly shorter surgical duration, shorter hospitalization, and less blood loss (P < 0.05). After the operations, the artificial vagina of all the 63 patients could hold a speculum and the mucosa appeared so soft and smooth with normal lubrication. The married patients were satisfied with the intercourse. However, after vaginoplasty using the amnion, an infection of the amnion occurred in 3 patients, scar contracture in 2 patients, one of whom underwent scar incision 13 months after operation with a success; but the other refuse to accept another operation. But the improved laparoscopic Vecchietti operation achieved a success in the patients without any infection or scar contracture, according to the 2 month-2.5 years follow-up.

The improved laparoscopic Vecchietti operation is a preferred procedure of constructing a vagina for the patients suffering from the congenital absence of the vagina.