Abstract

Aim: Vaginal reconstruction is necessary in conditions where the vagina is short or absent. Different surgical techniques for vaginoplasty exist. Sigmoid colon vaginoplasty is considered to be one of the most appliable methods in present day. It is aimed to demonstrate the outcomes of the patients who underwent sigmoid colon vaginoplasty between 2006 and 2016.

Material and Methods: The medical files of patients who underwent sigmoid colon vaginoplasty between 2006 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Our research was approved by the ethics committee of Ankara University (No: 03-110- 17). Children were investigated in terms of preoperative assessments, surgical techniques, postoperative complications, and outcomes. Sexual activities of the patients could not be evaluated since it was a pediatric group.

Results: Eight patients were included in the study. The median operation time was 3.5 hours (3-5 hours). There was no perioperative complications and postoperative ileus. The medan time to start feeding was 24 hours and median hospital stay was six days (5-7 days). Only in one patient vaginal stenosis was observed which resolved after two additional dilatations. All the patients, and their families thought that the cosmetic results are satisfactory.

Conclusions: Sigmoid colon with it’s non-shrinking and lubricating anatomical structure is a suitable candidate for neovagina. Foul smell can be prevented by vaginal irrigation. Preference for laparoscopic approach for this procedure reduces complications and results in excellent cosmesis. So that laparoscopic colovaginoplasty seems to be a good treatment option for Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD) patients in childhood.