title: Treatment of vaginal agenesis using a modified McIndoe technique: Long-term follow-up of 23 patients and a literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Congenital vaginal agenesis is a rare malformation with an incidence of one in 4000 to 5000 female newborns. The purpose of vaginal agenesis treatment is not only to create an adequate passageway for penetration but also to facilitate satisfactory sexual intercourse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present the results of a modified McIndoe technique with respect to sexual function, vaginal length and complication rates in patients with vaginal agenesis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2002 and 2010, 23 patients with vaginal agenesis were admitted to the Gynecology Clinic of Istanbul University School of Medicine (Istanbul, Turkey) for vaginal reconstruction. All patients underwent a modified McIndoe procedure. The long-term results with a follow-up period ranging from 18 to 118 months are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postoperative mean vaginal length was 8.4 cm (range 6 cm to 11 cm) in 19 patients who used the mould regularly. Among 14 patients who used the mould regularly and had partners, only one experienced severe pain during intercourse and 13 reported that they were engaging in satisfactory sexual activity with mild or no pain, and with good mucosal sensitivity. Conversely, two of three patients who used the mould irregularly experienced severe pain during intercourse and had a mean vaginal length of 6 cm (range 4 cm to 8 cm).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that a modified McIndoe technique is a simple, effective procedure for the treatment of vaginal agenesis; however, proper mould use after surgery remains the cornerstone of the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul University School of Medicine, Istanbul;
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bastu
authors.forename: Suleyman Engin
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Akhan
authors.forename: Mehmet Firat
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mutlu
authors.forename: Asli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nehir
authors.forename: Harika
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yumru
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hocaoglu
authors.forename: Funda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gungor-Ugurlucan
keywords: McIndoe technique; Vaginal agenesis; Vaginoplasty