Surgical and functional outcome of sigmoid colon-vaginoplasty in Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study is to report our experience with sigmoid vaginoplasty in adolescent female patients of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome with emphasis on the effectiveness of surgery, complications, sexual and functional outcomes.Methods: A retrospective study of adolescent females with vaginal atresia and Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. The sigmoid segment was used for vaginoplasty in all the case.Results: Eleven females were studied over a period of 15 years. Postoperative complications were perineal rash in 3, ileus in 3, and minor wound infection in 1 patient and urinary tract infection in one patient. Nine patients were on regular follow-up. All the neovaginas were patent and functional. The postoperative mean vaginal length was 12.1 cm (range 11 cm to 14 cm). One of the patients had mild vaginal stenosis which responded to vaginal dilation, one had mucosal prolapse of the neovagina, one had excessive mucus discharge, during follow-up visits. Out of the 11patients, 8 patients are sexually active and 7 reported that they were engaging in satisfactory sexual activity with mild or no pain, and with good mucosal sensitivity. Only one experienced dyspareunia and three patients had not participated in sexual activity.Conclusions: Sigmoid vaginoplasty is a safe and acceptable procedure for vaginal agenesis with good cosmetic results and acceptable complications rate. Sigmoid colon vaginoplasty is the treatment of choice because of its large lumen, thick walls resistant to trauma, adequate secretion allowing lubrication, not demanding prolonged dilatation and short recovery time.