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Regional Anesthesia for Penile Inversion Vaginoplasties
Jevaughn S Davis1, Ayomide Ogunsakin2, Boladale Ashiru3
1Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA. jevdavis@mfa.gwu.edu.
Current Pain and Headache Reports
|May 22, 2026
Summary
Regional anesthesia techniques are crucial for managing post-operative pain in penile inversion vaginoplasty. Evidence suggests these methods reduce opioid use and improve patient recovery, enhancing gender-affirming care outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology
- Gender-affirming surgery
- Pain management
Background:
- Penile inversion vaginoplasty is a complex gender-affirming surgery requiring effective postoperative pain control.
- Inadequate pain management negatively impacts patient satisfaction, hospital stay, and recovery.
- Multimodal analgesia is standard, including opioids, NSAIDs, and local anesthetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current evidence on regional anesthesia for postoperative pain in penile inversion vaginoplasty.
- To clarify the role of regional anesthesia in optimizing pain control and recovery.
- To consolidate findings on reducing opioid exposure in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of regional anesthesia techniques for penile inversion vaginoplasty.
- Synthesis of evidence on neuraxial anesthesia and peripheral nerve blocks.
- Analysis of impact on pain, opioid consumption, and recovery.
Main Results:
- Regional anesthesia is a key component of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols.
- Evidence shows reduced opioid consumption and adverse effects with regional anesthesia.
- These techniques contribute to improved patient-centered outcomes and recovery.
Conclusions:
- Regional anesthesia is vital for multimodal pain management in penile inversion vaginoplasty.
- Implementing regional anesthesia can significantly decrease opioid reliance and side effects.
- Optimizing pain control with regional anesthesia improves overall patient recovery and satisfaction.
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