Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025
Rapid and Low-cost Prototyping of Medical Devices Using 3D Printed Molds for Liquid Injection Molding
Published on: June 27, 2014
Vaginoplasty: modified McIndoe using xenograft and a tailored 3D-printer mold
Lucila I Pavan1,2, Geronimo A Bourguignon3,4, Enrique P Ubertazzi3,4
1Department of Gynecology, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Potosí 4135, 1199, Buenos Aires, Argentina. lucila.pavan@hospitalitaliano.org.ar.
Introduction And Hypothesis:
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is the congenital absence of the vagina with variable uterine development. Different methods have been reported for vaginoplasty treatment. The preferred vaginal approach to treating this condition is usually McIndoe vaginoplasty supported by regular dilatation of the neovagina. We present a case video of a McIndoe modified vaginoplasty technique with a heterologous graft using a covering customized 3D-printed mold, its postoperative follow-up and postoperative complications.
Methods:
Video presentation of a McIndoe modified vaginoplasty technique using porcine intestinal submucosa performed in a 18-year-old woman diagnosed with MRKH syndrome. Different sizes of a polylactic acid mold were manufactured with 3D printers. After dissection of the recto-vesical space, a mold tailored in terms of length and width was chosen for this patient.
Results:
After 13 days of follow-up, the patient presented graft infection and subsequent total graft detachment. However, the patient continued to use the vaginal dilator permanently. After 7 months, 8 cm vaginal length with 90% epithelialization and satisfactory sexual intercourse were achieved.
Conclusion:
Functional, histological and anatomical results were reached despite the graft detachment. New technologies such as 3D printing facilitate the development of techniques using tailored molds.
