Vaginoplasty for Gender Dysphoria and Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser
Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: About 8,800-34,200 Gender Dysphoria (GD)- and 39,000-650,800
Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH)-patients undergo vaginoplasty
annually. Various procedures are available, but comparisons are lacking.
OBJECTIVES: To highlight information gaps, weaknesses and strengths of
vaginoplasty techniques, to aid well-informed decision making by
patients and healthcare professionals. SEARCH STRATEGY: A systematic
search in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus until October 6,
2022, by PICO method and PROSPERO registration. SELECTION CRITERIA:
Original retrospective studies on complete neovaginal creation in adult
GD- and MRKH-patients and discussing anatomy, Quality of Life (QoL),
satisfaction, sexual function, complications or complaints. DATA
COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The 95% confidence intervals were calculated
with DerSimonian and Laird random-effects. Methodological quality and
potential bias were assessed. MAIN RESULTS: In total, 35 GD- and 16
MRKH-studies were eligible. Vagina length was 11.6 and 9.5 cm,
respectively. In GD-patients, Hemorrhage (6%), prolapse (1%),
gastrointestinal complications (1%), revisions (26%), pain (6%),
regret (1%), fecal- (11%) and urinary issues (17%) were reported.
Necrosis, stenosis, dyspareunia and revisions decreased, while duration
increased with higher graft quantity. Intestinal-vaginoplasty reported
100% sensation. MRKH-patients reported more necrosis (17%)
[McIndoe] and average satisfaction with sexual function (91%) and
vaginal discharge (32%). They were more sexually active (86%) and had
100% anatomical satisfaction. Only Intestinal-vaginoplasty reported
overall dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: For GD- and MRKH-patients,
multiple safe vaginoplasty techniques demonstrated acceptable outcomes,
with significantly improved QoL and self-image. However, standardized
validation tools are needed for well-informed decision-making. Direct
technique comparisons per patient-cohort and exploration of
tissue-engineering methods are critical for future surgical
advancements.