title: Functional vaginal rejuvenation with elastic silicone threads: a 4-year experience with 180 patients.
abstract: Recently, there has been growing interest in female genital plastic surgery. To the authors' knowledge, no studies have adopted elastic silicone thread for vaginal rejuvenation. This study introduces clinical experience over 4 years with vaginal rejuvenation using elastic silicone thread to specifically assess the overall patient satisfaction (sexual function and correction of the vaginal width). It is hypothesised that this novel surgical method can improve sexual function. Between 2007-2011, 180 patients underwent vaginal rejuvenation using elastic silicone thread performed by the authors at a single institution. Patients with persistent feeling of a wide vagina and/or a decreased ability to reach orgasm were included. Patients were excluded from the study if they were unavailable for follow-up, or if they had been diagnosed with any gynecologic diseases. To measure the 15 degree of improvement with regard to sexual function, this study adopted the validated system; Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). 92.8% (167/180) of the patients were satisfied with outcome with regard to feelings of correction of vaginal width. Vaginal rejuvenation using elastic silicone thread significantly improved postoperative outcomes, resulting in improved sexual function, with a focus on improving the FSFI score. This is especially prominent in FSFI orgasm subscore. However, a prospective multicentre study would be beneficial to provide patients with the best possible management.
authors.affiliation: Buleun Health Care Center , Incheon , Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tae Hwan
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hye June
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kwi Whan
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Whang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012060:Rejuvenation; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000601:surgery*; D012828:Silicones; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones
keywords: FSFI; Genitalia; rejuvenation; silicone; thread; vagina