title: Results of modified laparoscopically assisted neovaginoplasty in 18 patients with congenital absence of vagina.
abstract: Construction of a neovagina using pelvic peritoneum via a laparoscopically assisted approach was used in 18 patients with congenital absence of the vagina. A better operative procedure is reported, which was modified from our preliminary technique, and the results of treatment are evaluated. Pelvic peritoneum was used for construction of a vagina, replacing a laparotomy by a minimally invasive laparoscopic approach. During follow-up, the advantages of our procedures are: (i) minimal likelihood of 'poor take' or later contraction because an autograft peritoneal epithelial line is used; (ii) minimal short and long term care is required; (iii) the technique is simple in experienced hands and has all the well-recognized benefits of minimal invasive surgery; (iv) the average length of neovagina is adequate and patency and depth can be maintained with minimal dilatation; (v) the neovagina, with epithelial lining resembling that of a normal vagina, facilitates comfortable sexual intercourse; (vi) the procedure is unaccompanied by dyspareunia or scarring, which are frequently associated with other techniques; (vii) less emotional stress and better cosmetic and economic benefits are noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Medical School, Linkou Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: Y K
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Soong
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Y M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus; D004848:Epithelium; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000637:transplantation; D014621:Vagina / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*