Feasibility and Outcomes After Robot-Assisted Sigmoid Vaginoplasty for Gender Dysphoria

To present our technique of robot assisted sigmoid vaginoplasty (RSV) for both primary and in revision cases of vaginoplasty.

Patients were retrospectively evaluated between 2020 and 2024 who underwent either primary or revision RSV. The technique for the surgery is described. Demographics, complications, vaginal depth (VD), and hospital events were analyzed after chart review.

Thirty-six patients underwent robotic-assisted sigmoid vaginoplasty. Eleven underwent primary RSV and 25 underwent revision vaginoplasty for vaginal stenosis (25) and prostato-vaginal fistula (4). Mean age was 36.1 years, operative time was 272.9 mins, mean length of stay was 3.7 days. Mean VD was 17.6 cm (3.7 SD). In patients who underwent revision vaginoplasty for stenosis, preoperative VD was on average 3.4 cm (3.3 SD) and none developed fistulas. 2 developed a sigmoid-skin anastomotic vaginal stricture requiring intervention. Most patients expressed satisfaction with their surgery and outcomes. None reported a change in bowel habits, vaginitis, or excessive discharge that persisted after 3 months post-op, and none had evidence of diversion neo-vaginal colitis on post-operative vaginoscopy.

RSV is a feasible and safe technique as a primary option for vaginoplasty or as a revision to treat vaginal stenosis. Larger and longer comparative studies are needed to assess the utility and long-term functional outcomes of this technique.