Creation of a neovagina in patients with Rokitansky syndrome using peritoneum from the pouch of Douglas: an analysis of 48 cases

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 90; no. 3; pp. 827 - 832
• Main Authors: de Sousa Marques, Herbert, M.D, dos Santos, Francisca Lopes, M.D, Lopes-Costa, Pedro Vitor, M.D, dos Santos, Alesse Ribeiro, M.D, da Silva, Benedito Borges, M.D., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-09-2008; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; construction; Female; genital malformations; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures - methods; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Internal Medicine; Medical sciences; Neovagina; Obstetrics and Gynecology; pelvic peritoneum; Peritoneum - transplantation; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - instrumentation; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Retrospective Studies; Rokitansky syndrome; Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological - surgery; Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; uterovaginal agenesis; Vagina - abnormalities; Vagina - surgery; uterovaginal agenesis; Rokitansky syndrome; construction; pelvic peritoneum; genital malformations; Neovagina; Human; Agenesis; Gynecology; Genital system; Obstetrics; Pelvic cavity; Malformation; Peritoneum
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.07.1321

Objective To evaluate the surgical feasibility and the long-term anatomical and functional results of the technique of vaginal reconstruction using peritoneum from the pouch of Douglas in patients with uterovaginal agenesis, known as Rokitansky's syndrome. Design Retrospective single-institution case series. Setting A tertiary referral center for the treatment of female genital malformations. Patient(s) Forty-eight patients with vaginal agenesis. Intervention(s) Laparotomy and use of pelvic peritoneum to form a neovagina. Main Outcome Measure(s) Anatomical success was defined as a neovagina ≥8 cm in length that easily permitted the insertion of two fingers 6 months after corrective surgery. Functional success was considered to have been achieved when the patient reported satisfactory sexual intercourse beginning 6 months after surgery. Result(s) The surgical procedure was carried out uneventfully, and anatomical success was achieved in 100% of cases. Functional success was also achieved in the entire population studied. Conclusion(s) The construction of a neovagina using pelvic peritoneum is simple, safe, and effective in patients with Rokitansky syndrome.