Objective To summarize the research and development of vaginal reconstruction with tissue engineering technology. Methods The recent l iterature concerning vaginal reconstruction with tissue engineering technology at home and abroad was extensively reviewed and the research and development were summarized. Results Tissue engineering providesan ideal material as the inner tissue in vaginalplasty. The reconstructed tissue closely resembles native vaginal tissue in the cellular organization and physical properties. The cl inical use of the tissue engineered vagina in vaginoplasty can not be harmful to an organism, and the neovagina has sufficient length and depth. However, the long-term follow-up is needed. Conclusion Vaginal reconstruction with tissue engineering technology may have good application prospects, but further research is required.
Objective To investigate the effect of vaginal reconstruction with autologous buccal micro-mucosa graft. Methods From March 2007 and April 2008, 10 patients with absence of vagina were treated, aged 18-31 years (mean 26 years). Nine of them were congenital absence of vagina, and the remaining one was vaginal stenosis after vaginal reconstruction.They all exhibited normal secondary sexual characteristics, normal hormonal levels and 46, XX karyotype. Their abdominal ultrasounography revealed the normal ovaries and tubes but absence of the uterus or small rudimentary horns. However the one with vaginal stenosis had normal uterus. The buccal mucosa graft was minced into 0.5 mm in size and was transplanted to the cavity which was dissected between the bladder and the rectum. Results The operation was performed successfully in all cases. The operative time was about 1-2 hours and operative blood loss was 80-100 mL. Postoperative compl ication occurred in only one case for vaginal bleeding. The patient recovered and the wound healed well after immediate management. The others healed primarily without any compl ications. All cases were followed up for 4-16 months. The depth of neovagina which was formed was 6-10 cm and the width was about two fingers. The l ining was pink-colored and smooth, and was confirmed as nonkeratizing squamous stratified mucosa by histopathological examination. The donor sites healed uneventfully with no change in mouth opening. The perineal area was not disturbed. Four patients were married and satisfied with their sexual l ife without pain and bleeding. Conclusion Vaginal reconstruction with autologous buccal micro-mucosa graft is an easy, minimally invasive and useful method.
Objective To increase the success rate of vaginal reconstruction with pudendal-thigh flap, reduce the chance of hemocirculatory disorder and rel ieve the deformity of greater l ip of pudendum and vaginal orifice. Methods FromJune 1998 to May 2004, 15 patients, 2 males with transsexual ism and 13 females with vaginal absence, aged 23-31 years old (26.2 on average), received vaginal reconstruction. Arterial perforator was detected at 3 cm laterally away from the mid-point between the vaginal orifice and the anus. The flap of 12.0 cm × 5.5 cm was designed at the lateral of the greater l ip of pudendum, with the groin as the axis. After the flap was elevated beneath the deep fascia, the fascial pedicle was partially severed from lateral to medium, keeping the perforator intact into the flap. Then the flap was transferred through the tunnel to the socket. The inner layer and the orifice were formed. Results All flaps survived, and the contour of the vulva was satisfactory. Among the 15 patients, 14 patients’ incisions obtained heal ing by first intention, and only 1 male with transsexual ism was discovered to suffer from rectovaginal fistula at the remote juncture of the two flaps at 7 days after the operation. By taking out all the gauze and cleaning the feces, the fistula healed automatically. All patients were followed up for 6 months-3 years. The reconstructed vagina was about 10 cm deep and 2 fingers wide. One female’s vagina was found pilous at 20 months after the operation, and no special treatment was given. The other patients’ vaginal inner walls were smooth and complete. Two female patients had the experienceof sexual intercourse and felt satisfied after using lubricant. Conclusion The modified pudendal-thigh flap has rel iable blood supply and makes the transferring during vaginal reconstruction more convenient and the contour of the vulva more satisfactory.
Objective To evaluate a new alternative method for thereconstruction of vagina with deep inferior epigastric perforator(DIEP) flap. Methods From January 2004 to May 2005, DIEP flaps were used for vaginal reconstruction in 5 patients(19 to 40 years), including 4 cases of congenital vaginal agenesis and 1 case of vaginal tumor. Before operation, the perforators were detected by theDoppler and the flaps based on the perforators ranged from 10 cm×9 cm to 12 cm×11 cm. DIEP flaps were elevated and then transferred to reconstruct the vagina. Results Deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps were used in 5 patients. Only 1 patient developed haematoma in the posterior aspect of thereconstructed vagina, but the flap was viable. The wounds healed secondarily after conservative therapy. All the flaps survived completely. No complication occurred at donor site of abdominal wall. Conclusion Despite technical difficulties in elevatingthe deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, the flap is a good choice for vaginal reconstruction.