Use of peritoneum in neovagina construction in gender-affirming surgery: A systematic review

Gender dysphoria is defined as discomfort or distress that is caused by a discrepancy between a person's gender identity and that person's sex assigned at birth. The main objective of this study was to review the application, efficacy and outcomes of a novel surgical technique, peritoneal pull-through technique vaginoplasty, in gender-affirming surgery. Specific outcome parameters include (1) healing time (2) depth of cavity achieved (3) alleviation of dysphoria (4) morbidity of the surgery.

This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and PROSPERO registration obtained prior to commencement (PROSPERO CRD42020206736). A search was performed in OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, Willey Online Library and PubMed. Specialty-related journals, grey literature and reference lists of relevant articles were manually searched.

From 476 potentially relevant articles, 12 articles were analysed. The publications were all level 4 or level 5 evidence. Healing times were poorly reported or often not mentioned. Eight authors reported neovagina cavity depth of at least 13 cm and good patient satisfaction. Alleviation of dysphoria was not discussed by any of the publications and only six reported complications. Average follow up reported ranged from 6 weeks to 14.8 months.

The application of peritoneal pull-through vaginoplasty in gender-affirming surgery is promising and novel. However, there is a paucity of data. Further research and longer-term data are required to assess the efficacy and safety of this technique. Patients seeking this surgery overseas should be informed of the potential difficulties they may face.