The Use of Z-Plasty in the Treatment of Vaginal Septum

Abstract

A transverse vaginal septum is probably less common than congenital absence of the vagina and uterus. It has been diagnosed in newborns, infants, and older adolescent girls. Transverse vaginal septum varies in thickness and can be located at almost any level in the vagina but most often is located in the upper vagina. It is associated with few urologic or other anomalies and can lead to serious problems and symptoms. The diagnosis is made by clinical findings and radiologic evaluation. The treatment consists of simple excision, Z-plasty techniques, and various flaps. Two cases of transverse vaginal septum are reported here. In case 1 it is located in the upper vagina; in case 2, in the lower vagina. To eliminate the septum, Z-plasty was used to minimize the raw surface of the vagina. The remaining part of the raw surface in case 1 was covered with split thickness skin graft with fibrin glue.