Management of vaginal hypoplasia in disorders of sexual development: surgical and non-surgical options.
Patients with disorders of sexual development (DSD) requiring vaginal reconstruction are complex and varied in their presentation. Enlargement procedures for vaginal hypoplasia include self-dilation therapy or surgical vaginoplasty. There are many vaginoplasty techniques described, and each method has different risks and benefits. Reviewing the literature on management options for vaginal hypoplasia, the results show a number of techniques available for the creation of a neovagina. Studies are difficult to compare due to their heterogeneity, and the indications for surgery are not always clear. Psychological support improves outcomes. There is a paucity of evidence to inform management regarding the optimum surgical technique to use, and long-term data on success is lacking, particularly with respect to sexual function. In conclusion, vaginal dilators remain the cornerstone of treatment of women with vaginal hypoplasia and should be used as the first-line technique. Surgical vaginoplasty has a role in complex patients with previous failed dilation and surgical intervention, particularly those cases where there is significant scarring from previous surgery. Regardless of the vaginal reconstruction technique, patients should be managed in a multidisciplinary team where there is adequate emotional and psychological support available.
Deans
R
R
University College Hospital, Institute of Women's Health, London, UK. rebeccad@med.usyd.edu.au
Berra
M
M
Creighton
S M
SM
D012734:Disorders of Sex Development / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D014621:Vagina / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*