Failed vaginoplasty: a successful novel blend of minimally invasive approaches

Abstract

Objective To evaluate outcomes of a novel blend of techniques for treating vaginal contractures secondary to previous conventional constructive surgeries. Study design Balloon vaginoplasty and scar tissue hydrolysis/hydro-disintegrations (BV/STH) were performed for three cases with vaginal scars after previously failed vaginoplasties. The outcomes measured were operative complications, vaginal depths as measured by a calibrated vaginometer, and functional outcomes as measured by changes in the penetration and satisfaction (P/S) scores on a 0–100 point visual analog scale. Results BV/STH was performed successfully for 3 women with previously failed vaginoplasties. They included a case with a previous partial thickness skin grafting, one with previous labial flaps and one with previous amnion membrane graft. Preoperative P/S scores ranged from 20 to 30 points. Initially BV was done in addition to multiple snips of the scar tissue with a 2 mm scalpel. No operative complications were reported but we failed to achieve progressive increase in vaginal depth after day 4. Scar tissue was injected with a mixture of lidocaine and normal saline. Progressive increase in depth was dramatically improved after scar hydro-disintegration. The depths of the resultant neovaginas were 10, 11 and 11.6 cm. Postoperative P/S scores increased up to 90. Conclusions BV/STH was successfully performed as a revision surgery for blind vaginas with fibrosis. This report highlights a wider range of possible applications of balloon vaginoplasty.